Flying Bird Pose (Garudasana)

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Flying Bird pose (Garudasana) is a standing balancing asana in yoga practice. It comes from the Samskrta word ‘Garuda’ which means “bird, or king of the birds”, usually directly translated to English as “eagle”. This pose improves balance, decreases body weight, and improves concentration. It also opens up the shoulders and lengthens the spine.

How to Execute Garudasana:

1. Stand with the entire body aligned to the spine.
2. Gradually lift the right leg toward the back, keeping the right leg straight.
3. Extend the left arm toward the front and the right hand toward the back. Do not bend the torso while this is all happening.
4. Let the right hand reach as far back as possible, almost trying to reach the toes of the right foot (which won’t touch)
5. Sustain this pose for 30 seconds.
6. Do the same to the other side of the body, with the left foot raising backward instead.
7. All the steps above will be equal to 1 round.

Practice: Flying Bird Pose (Garudasana) 4 rounds x 30 seconds per side of the body (left and right)