Refrences

Yoga Journal - Eagle Pose

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/785

Garudasana - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garu%E1%B8%8D%C4%81sana

Youtube - Shanti Mantra (Peaceful)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BwxnFd1oGc&feature=related

Awareness

This asana is a good way to stretch out my legs and shoulders. The greater benefit is it is a great way to take my mind of the world and find the connection between the body and my atma (soul). It makes me feel like my whole body is one soul. Trying to find balance and comfort in this posture is trying to dig deep in yourself and find that balance in life. I feel like I connect with my soul and my mind, body, and spirit becomes one. I feel like I am an eagle soaring through the eternal sky.

Benefits of Garudasana

This asana can enhance the level of concentration and improve one's balance. While you are trying to balance, it is much easier if you inject your core muscles. It is always beneficial to work those for a healthier and stronger body and to prevent injuries. It focuses on the ankles, calves, thighs, hips and shoulders. This is great to strengthen and stretch your ankles and calves. It also stretches your thighs, hips, lower back, and upper shoulders.

What is Garudasana?

HOW IT IS DONE:

1. Stand firm in Tadasana opening your heart center. Bend your knees slightly and lift your left foot up. While balancing on your right foot, cross your left thigh over the right. Point your left toes toward the floor, press the foot back, and then hook the top of the foot behind the lower right calf. Balance on the right foot.

2. Stretch your arms straight forward, parallel to the floor. Cross the arms in front of your torso so that the right arm is above the left, then bend your elbows. Snug the right elbow into the crook of the left, and raise the forearms perpendicular to the floor. The backs of your hands should be facing each other.

3. Press the right hand to the right and the left hand to the left, so that the palms are now facing each other. The thumb of the right hand should pass in front of the little finger of the left. Now press the palms together (as much as is possible for you), lift your elbows up, and stretch the fingers toward the ceiling.

4. Stay for 15 to 30 seconds, then unwind the legs and arms and stand in Tadasana again. Repeat for the same length of time with the arms and legs reversed.

Muscles Involved:

• Ankles
• Calves
• Thighs
• Hips
• Shoulders

Meaning Behind The Name

Sanskrit Name: Garudasana

Garudasana means the "Eagle Pose". It is named after Lord Vishnu's holy bird Garuda. In Sanskrit Garuda means "eagle" and asana meaning "posture". In Hinduism, Garuda is the holy bird and the king of all birds. He is Lord Vishnu's (the supreme Hindu God) transporting vehicle.

English Name: Eagle Pose

Professional Demonstration

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/785

My Demo of Garudasana