As per Hindu mythology, the Hindu god and goddess used different transportation modes for travelling. They mostly used mythical creatures as vahanas (vehicles) for their interstellar travels. These creatures represent various spiritual and psychological forces that are known to carry each deity. They are seen as a symbolic representation of their power. It was Lord Vishnu who chose Garuda, the king of birds, to be his vahana.
Yoga is a science that teaches us the importance of living a healthy life. Yoga practices allows us to gain basic human values. Yoga demonstrates several physical techniques, known as asanas, sometimes resembling the shapes of animals and birds. These postures are used for various purposes, including meditation, achieving a sense of self-realisation and gaining a state of liberation.1
Yogasana enlightens a state in which one remains physically and mentally steady, keeping themselves calm, quiet and comfortable. 2 One such asana is Garudasana!
So, read along to get more information about Garudasana, its benefits and the performing technique.
Garudasana is a classic balancing pose in a standing position. Garudasana yoga pose involves twisting the forearms and the legs with one another. The word Garudasana is a combination of two Sanskrit words; ‘Garuda’ means an eagle and ‘Asana’ means posture or pose. Hence, the Garudasana yoga pose is also termed as Eagle pose. It may also be called the Garuda pose.2
Garuda or eagle is the king of birds. It is portrayed as having a golden body with a white face, an aquiline beak and red wings. These birds were considered fighters against demons. The Garudasana pose may provide a two-fold twist of the arms and legs, at once. The eagle pose yoga may be characterised by the strength, flexibility, and elasticity it provides to the body in one go. 2
You may start with Tadasana or the mountain pose as a preparatory pose to practise Garudasana.2 The following steps will guide you to do the eagle pose yoga:
According to what I’ve noticed, Garudasana might provide significant relief for individuals experiencing enlargement of testicles. To enhance its effectiveness, it is recommended to practice the pose with a slight forward lean, which may help expedite relief.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Also Read: Benefits of Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana) and How to Do it By Dr. Himani Bisht
Here are a few interesting facts about Garudasana yoga:
I might let you in on a little secret. Garudasana may not only strengthen the feet and thighs but might also offer special benefits for individuals who walk long distances regularly. Even after a short journey on foot, practising this pose may swiftly alleviate fatigue.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Also Read: Benefits of Makarasana (Crocodile Pose) and How to Do it By Dr. Ankit Sankhe
Regular practice of the Garudasana yoga pose may provide strength, self-control and elegance when practised with the correct orientation.2 Some of the Garudasana benefits are described below.
We all eat food; it supplies us with energy. However, the undigested food residue sometimes accumulates, making us feel heavy. Therefore, we prefer different varieties of detox drinks. Besides these drinks, yoga poses may also help you remove these toxins from the body. In Eagle asana, our body is twisted, helping to squeeze the internal organs and flush out the kidneys resulting in detoxification of the body.2
If you experience tightness in your legs, try the eagle pose. The eagle asana involves wrapping and winding the legs upon one another, helping strengthen the muscles and bones of the legs. In eagle pose, the anterior compartment of thigh muscles is stretched, strengthening the thigh muscles and making them more flexible. It may help to lower the cramps of the calf muscles and also provide great strength to the feet and thighs.2
If you are looking for a hip exercise, the Garuda yoga pose might be the one for you. In this pose, your hips are in flexion and muscles of the hip area get contracted and internally rotated. As a result, it gives the body more balance, flexibility and coordination.2
Garudasana yoga intensely stretches the shoulders and upper body area. In the eagle pose, the shoulder is moved towards the middle of the body, allowing the shoulders and arm joints to loosen. It may also help to remove stiffness and reduce pain in the shoulders.2
The practice of yoga poses, including the Garudasana pose, may provide benefits; however, it is still not an alternative to modern medicine to treat any condition. In addition, one must not depend on yoga alone as the only solution to health problems; instead, consult a qualified medical practitioner. Further, it is advised to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a yoga expert to avoid physical injuries.
I may recommend giving Garudasana a try and experiencing the healing power for yourself. It might have remarkable healing potential for various aches and arthritic disorders. Whether you’re experiencing discomfort in your knees, feet, or other joints, or dealing with pain or tremors in your shoulders, elbows, arms, or forearms, practising this asana may bring relief and contribute to your overall well-being.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Also Read: Benefits of Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend Pose) and How to Do it By Dr. Himani Bisht
You must avoid practising Garudasana in the following situations:
You can assess the risk factors associated and continue practising Garudasana with precautions under the supervision of an experienced Yoga master.
Garudasana is a balancing posture in a standing position. Garudasana yoga is also called the eagle pose because the final position of the body resembles the beak of an eagle. The eagle yogasana helps to enhance concentration, alertness and awareness of the mind. The eagle pose gives complete two-fold twists to both the arms and legs simultaneously. It may also help to stretch shoulders, arms, hips, calves and thighs. However, it would help if you practised Garudasana asana under the guidance of a trained Yoga teacher to avoid any injuries.
Also Read: Benefits of Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) and How to Do it By Dr. Himani Bisht
Garudasana is a standing yoga pose. It is a Sanskrit name where ‘Garuda’ means an eagle and ‘asana’ means pose. While performing the Garudasana pose, our body appears like the shape of the beak of an eagle; hence also called eagle pose yoga.2
The contraindications of Garuda yoga pose include injuries to the elbow, knee, ankle joints, varicose vein and arthritis, etc.2
You may perform the Garudasana pose for three rounds on each side. However, it is advised that you perform the eagle pose under the supervision of a trained Yoga teacher who will guide you about the number of rounds per your health.2
Garudasana preparatory poses include Tadasana or the mountain pose.2
Eagle pose anatomically targets different parts of the body, including the shoulder, elbows, forearms, hips, thighs, calves, ankles, feet, etc.2
1. Yoga: Its Origin, History and Development [Internet]. [cited 2022 Sep 22]. Available from: https://www.mea.gov.in/in-focus-article.htm?25096/Yoga+Its+Origin+History+and+Development
2. Jadoun S, Bodh B, Yadav S. An Anatomical Exploration of ‘Garudasana’. Intern J of Trend in Sci Res and Develop. 2020;4(6):623–6. Available from: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd33465.pdf
3. Garudasana, Garuḍāsana, Garuda-asana: 6 definitions [Internet]. [cited 2022 Sep 16]. Available from: https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/garudasana
4. More than Just an Eagle: Garudasana – Integral Yoga Magazine [Internet]. [cited 2022 Sep 16]. Available from: https://integralyogamagazine.org/more-than-just-an-eagle-garudasana/
5. Elite World Records [Internet]. [cited 2022 Sep 16]. Available from: https://eliteworldrecords.org/records/longest-time-holding-vama-tada-garudasana-yoga-pose-on-a-bucket-by-an-individual-male-&914
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
International Yoga Day is finally here! Should 21st June be just another day on the calendar for you? Or will you let this be the day when you make a decision that will protect you from the pandemic?
A strong immune system can protect you from COVID-19 and other illnesses. There is no better way to boost your immunity than with yoga. Yoga prevents autonomic changes that impair your cellular immunity. By curbing stress and inflammation, it empowers your immunity.
If you don’t practice yoga, it’s never too late. Take that step today to have an alert mind and a healthy body! Are you wondering which yoga postures, in particular, will help your immune system? We have made a shortlist for you-
Yoga will seem hard at the beginning if you are new to it. But with just a few days of dedicated practice, your body will become more flexible.
It is an easy yoga pose and terrific for suppressing stress. Lie down flat on your tummy and extend your arms forward. Lift your neck slowly, all the while relaxing your glutes. Hold the pose and breathe in and out slowly for as long as you are comfortable.
This pose gets your life energy flowing through your body and that preps you for the challenges of the day ahead.
Trikonasana also begins with the tadasana. Now exhale and widen the gap between your legs until they are 3 ½ or 4 feet apart. Raise your arm along your sides and make sure that they are parallel to the ground. Now bend your upper body to the left. Bend from the waist. Grip your left ankle with your left hand. The right arm should be pointed towards the ceiling and perpendicular to the ground.
This pose improves your lung capacity and protects them from respiratory illnesses like the current pandemic.
Stand in the mountain pose or tadasana (standing pose), inhale and lift your arms. Exhale and bend your knees. Push your hips back and bend your upper body forward. Now twist your body. One arm will face the ceiling and the other arm will support you with the palm placed flat against the floor next to your feet.
This posture not only increases your flexibility but is good for your gut bacteria that strengthen immunity. It increases the production of digestive enzymes and detoxifies your body.
This looks like a simple exercise, but executing it perfectly can take some getting used to. All you need to do is stand straight, raise your arms and make sure they are parallel to your ears. Now start bending back as far as you can go.
This posture stretches out your backbone, shoulders and neck muscles and is tremendously good for your heart. It ensures that more blood is pumped to all parts of your body. This translates to a greater oxygen supply to each cell, which makes them immune to diseases and oxidative stress.
This is a balancing act. It rights your body’s equilibrium, keeps the body grounded and enhances blood circulation by releasing tension and knots in your muscles. Your life force flows uninterrupted and toughens up your immunity.
Start with tadasana. Standing on your right foot, cross your left thigh over the right. Now point your left foot down and hook it around your right shin. Stretch out your arms in front of you and parallel to the ground. Cross your arms (right arm over the left) and bend the elbows. Then raise both forearms (they should be perpendicular to the ground). Ensure that the backs of the palms are touching each other.
Now turn the right hand to the right and the left hand to the left so that the palms face each other. Make sure that your right thumb passes in front of your left little finger. Stretch your fingers towards the ceiling. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds, unwind and continue with the legs and arms reversed.
Stress and anxiety lower your body’s defences. Meditation is complementary to yoga and together the two can beat stress to strengthen your immunity.
Yoga is an inexpensive path to wellness and health. So make it a part of your life to enhance your wellbeing.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
