Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Salutation Pose - Anjaneya-asana


The Salutation Pose - Anjaneya-asana
The Salutation Pose - Anjaneya-asana
Posture : The Salutation Pose - Anjaneya-asana

Translation : The Sanskrit word anjaneya means salutation or praise from the root anj which means to honor, to celebrate, to anoint.

Pronunciation : Ahn-jah-nay-ah-sa-na

"As inumerable cups full of water, many reflections of the sun are seen, but the sun is the same; similarly individuals, like cups, are inumerable, but spirit, like the sun, is one."
-The Shiva-samhita I.35 II.42-43.
The Salutation Pose - Anjaneya-asana Instruction :

1. Sit comfortably in the vajra-asana (thunderbolt pose).

2. Kneel up on your knees until your back, buttocks and thighs are aligned.

3. Extend your left foot foward bending your left knee at about a 90 degree angle.

4. Place the palms of your hands together at the heart in the anjali-mudra.

5. Raise your arms stright up keeping the palms together while bending the head
backward and looking up.

6. Slowly bend backward stretching the arms backward and straightening out the
right leg. Hold this position for as long as comfortable while breathing gently through
the nostrils.

7. Come back to the vajara-asana (thunderbolt pose) then reverse the posture by
alternating legs.


Comments : The anjaneya-asana combines several postures and mudras (gestures)
in a fluid, evolving flow that combines motion, stretching and holds. It delivers great
benefits for the back, arms, chest, legs and hips. Regular practice will strengthen
concentration and improve balance.

Perform this posture with a sense of reverence and praise. Take a moment to reside in
silence and peace as your hands are held at the heart in the gesture (mudra) of salutation
 (anjali-mudra). Keep the intention of praise in mind as you extend your arms skyward.
Feel your entire body-mind-heart extending outward in recognition of the sacredness of life.


Durations/Repetitions : Repeat twice on each side.

No comments:

Post a Comment