<strong>Eagle Pose</strong>

<strong></strong><em>Garudasana</em>

<strong>By Megan Howe</strong>

<strong>Photo by Mark Vanderpool</strong>

Eagle is a standing pose that improves your sense of balance and concentration. In addition to strengthening your ankles and calves, this pose also stretches your thighs, hips, shoulders, and upper back. If you live with asthma, low backache, or sciatica discomfort, practicing Garudasana (Eagle Pose) can provide therapeutic relief to your disease or condition.

<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Yoga-Eagle.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-12453" alt="" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Yoga-Eagle-200x300.jpg" width="200" height="300" /></a>Begin standing, in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), with your feet together at the top of your yoga mat. Bend both of your knees and ground down the four corners of your left foot. Carefully lift your right foot up, cross your right leg over your left, and hug every muscle in your legs toward the center of your body.

When you first begin to practice this pose, bend your knees deeply and connect both feet to the ground. As you progress in your practice of this pose, I encourage you to lift one foot off the earth and balance.

Reach both of your arms straight forward, then cross your right arm underneath your, bend your elbows and bring each hand to your opposite shoulder (it will look like you are giving yourself a hug). If you’re shoulders are willing, after crossing one arm under the other, bend your elbows until your fingertips face the ceiling and hook your hands together. Draw your shoulder blades towards your spine and press them into your body. Hug in towards the centerline of your body to create balance in your pose.
For more empowering poses, visit us at Dancing Dogs Yoga, located in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head Island.