Peacock Pose – Mayurasana

The Peacock Pose or Mayurasana gets its name from the bird that it resembles. In the Indian sub-continent the peacock was revered as a sign or immortality and love. This pose focuses on developing and strengthening the thighs, wrists, forearms, buttocks and abdomen. While the Peacock Pose should be quite simple for an advanced student it may be a little tricky for a beginner, so you can use some support. To help maintain your balance, you can use a bolster for support for either or both the ankles or the forehead.

Practicing yoga poses in isolation and not as part of a flowing session defeats the purpose of yoga and will also deprive you of the benefits. Yoga asanas or poses provide their full benefits when practiced as part of a yoga session, and there will always be a particular sequence of poses or asanas that is most appropriate. Before practicing the Peacock Pose you would do well to practice the Four -Limbed Staff Pose or Chaturanga Dandasana and the seated version of the Foot-Behind-the-Head Pose or Eka Pada Sirshasana, as they are believed to be good preparatory poses.

Technique

1)  Kneel with your knees about a foot apart

2)  Place your hands, palms down on the floor between your knees, wrists to the front, fingers pointing backwards

3)  Place your elbows gently on either side of your navel

4)  Bend forward until the abdomen is resting on your elbows

5)  Slowly stretching both legs together, raise the upper part of your body to a horizontal position

6)  Then straighten your legs also like a horizontal stick, keeping your chest, neck and head straight as well

7)  Your horizontal body is now resting on your hands with forearms vertical

8)  Hold the position for a few seconds only.

9)  To return to the origin position, slowly fold your legs and place your knees on the ground.

10)  Now raising your hands from the ground sit on your soles.

Once you complete the Peacock Pose you can move into poses like the Downward Facing Dog Pose or Adho Mukha Svanasana, Child's Pose or Balasana, One-Handed Arm Balance or Eka Hasta Bhujasana, Shoulder-Pressing Pose or Bhujapidasana, Two-Handed Arm Balance or Dwi Hasta Bhujasana, and the Pose Dedicated to Visvamitra or Visvamitrasana.

Contradictions

• This pose should not be attempted by anyone suffering from injuries to the elbows or the wrists.

• It should never be attempted by women during a pregnancy.

• Those with heart problems, ulcers, hernia or hypertension should not attempt this pose.