Hanumanasana - Monkey Pose
This beautiful pose is named after Hanuman, the monkey god. As the faithful servant of Rama, Hanuman leapt from the southern tip of India to Sri Lanka to bring a healing herb for his master Rama’s wounded brother, Laksmana, in a show of devotion. Likewise, the pose is a full split resembling this momentous leap.
The monkey pose opens the hip flexors and hamstrings as well as stimulating the abdominal organs. Avoid this pose if you have a groin or hamstring injury.
I like to practice the following poses, prior to attempting Hanumanasana, monkey pose:
• Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose)
• Janu Sirsasana (head to knee pose)
• Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend pose)
• Prasarita Padottanasana (wide-legged forward bend)
• Supta Virasana (reclining hero pose)
• Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining bound angle pose)
• Supta Padangustasana (reclining big toe pose)
• Upavistha Konasana (wide-angle seated forward bend pose)
• Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (upward extended feet pose)
• Uttanasana (standing forward bend pose)
• Virasana (hero pose)
After practicing Hanumanasana, you will find that eka pada rajakapotasana (one-footed pigeon pose), natarajasana (king dancer pose), paschimottanasana (seated forward bend), and upavishta konasana (wide-angle seated forward bend pose) can be attempted with greater ease.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. For yoga in Dunellen, NJ or yoga in Piscataway, NJ and yoga in other Central New Jersey areas, get in touch with me at Yoga Destiny.
This beautiful pose is named after Hanuman, the monkey god. As the faithful servant of Rama, Hanuman leapt from the southern tip of India to Sri Lanka to bring a healing herb for his master Rama’s wounded brother, Laksmana, in a show of devotion. Likewise, the pose is a full split resembling this momentous leap.
The monkey pose opens the hip flexors and hamstrings as well as stimulating the abdominal organs. Avoid this pose if you have a groin or hamstring injury.
I like to practice the following poses, prior to attempting Hanumanasana, monkey pose:
• Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose)
• Janu Sirsasana (head to knee pose)
• Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend pose)
• Prasarita Padottanasana (wide-legged forward bend)
• Supta Virasana (reclining hero pose)
• Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining bound angle pose)
• Supta Padangustasana (reclining big toe pose)
• Upavistha Konasana (wide-angle seated forward bend pose)
• Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (upward extended feet pose)
• Uttanasana (standing forward bend pose)
• Virasana (hero pose)
After practicing Hanumanasana, you will find that eka pada rajakapotasana (one-footed pigeon pose), natarajasana (king dancer pose), paschimottanasana (seated forward bend), and upavishta konasana (wide-angle seated forward bend pose) can be attempted with greater ease.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. For yoga in Dunellen, NJ or yoga in Piscataway, NJ and yoga in other Central New Jersey areas, get in touch with me at Yoga Destiny.
