Three Crazy Yoga Poses with Meanings Behind Them

When you’re new to yoga, the thought of nailing those crazy yoga poses you see in pictures or videos is exciting.

You may wish to strive for three cool yoga poses: Pungu Mayurasana, Yoganidrasana, and Taraksvasana.

Remember that you must first learn the basics of yoga before you can attempt any positions. Otherwise, you may injure yourself. For greater protection and ease in attempting poses, invest in quality yoga gear such as a pair of leggings or a yoga mat.

Pungu Mayurasana (Wounded Peacock)

Wounded Peacock Pose – This is a variation of the Peacock Pose, where you balance with one hand instead of both. You reach backward with the hand that is in the air.

Pungu Mayurasana strengthens your wrists, shoulders, and arms. It also improves digestion. Pungu Mayurasana also has other health benefits, including toning the lungs and abdominal viscera, as well as relieving constipation. This is a difficult position to master.

Peacocks are symbols of strength, compassion, beauty, and the ability to digest poison. Mayurasana, or the Peacock Pose, is said to allow you to digest poisons. It is not recommended that you try this yourself. Although it’s not known if the benefits are to this extent, Mayurasana & Pungu Mayurasana help in digestion.

It helps to understand the story behind the Wounded Peacock pose. Each time a peacock killed a snake, he was able to eliminate an earthly attachment. Remember this to get the most out of Pungu Mayurasana.

Tips for Pungu Mayurasana:

Your fingers should be pointing outwards.

Maintain your posture by keeping your back straight.

You may lose your balance if you jump into this posture.

After relaxing in Shashankasana (Rabbit Pose), try to use the opposite hand.

Practice Pungu Mayurasana with your legs apart, and then gradually move to your feet being together.

Do not attempt this exercise if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, or are pregnant. Don’t try it after an abdominal surgery.

Yoganidrasana (Yoga Sleep Pose)

The yoga sleep pose sounds relaxing and is supposedly for advanced yogis. However, it appears to be uncomfortable. Yoganidrasana (a.k.a. Yoga Nidrasana) involves folding yourself into a knot. This is essentially a Sleeping Turtle (Supta Kurmasana), only on your back.

Yoganidrasana is a pose that promotes deep relaxation despite its crazy appearance. Yoga Sleep Pose also triggers pratyahara, which is the withdrawal of senses and remaining connected to the universe. This yoga pose allows you to find inner peace, which is not affected by stress.

Yoga Sleep Pose also has the benefits of stretching deep muscles of the spine and small muscles and ligaments of the neck. It can improve spinal flexibility and the central nervous system.

Yoganidrasana is only safe if you have loose hamstrings and open hips. If you are not yet able to place your legs comfortably behind your head, then you need to increase your hip and hamstring flexibility.

According to legends, ancient yogis would fall asleep in Yoganidrasana. It’s not recommended to sleep in this position at night.

Tips on Yoganidrasana :

To gain more leverage, place your feet in the middle or beside the toes.

Do not hold the position with force, as this will make breathing difficult.

This move is not recommended if you have an injury in your legs, hips, or waist, are pregnant, or are menstruating.

Taraksvasana is also known as Handstand Scorpion.

Credit: Kino MacGregor

Handstand Scorpion is a variation of the regular Scorpion pose. It’s done on your forearms. Either place both legs near your head or straighten just one.

Taraksvasana’s story is a combination of Taraka, a demon that the Gods of War, and Sva, internal power killed. Taraksvasana improves internal power and balance and strengthens the shoulders, back, and abdominal muscles.

Tips on Taraksvasana :

Move your shoulders away from your ears.

Tuck your pelvis under for balance.

Do not do this pose if pregnant, if you have high blood pressure, a back injury, or a wrist or spine injury.

Three challenging and beneficial yoga poses are Handstand Scorpion, Yoga Sleep Pose, and Wounded Peacock. You will benefit not only physically but also mentally and spiritually.

You’ll gain more confidence in your abilities to achieve your goals once you put your body into positions that initially seemed impossible.

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