Mayurasana


Mayūrāsana or Peacock pose is a hand-balancing asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise with the body held horizontal over the hands. It is one of the oldest non-seated asanas, described in the 10th century.

Etymology and origins

The name comes from the Sanskrit words mayūra meaning "peacock" and āsana meaning "posture".
Mayurasana is one of the oldest non-seated asanas used in hatha yoga; it is first described in the 10th century Vimānārcanākalpa. The Vāsiṣṭha Saṁhitā 1.76-7 states that it destroys all sins.

Description

In this asana the body is raised like a horizontal stick holding the floor with both palms while the body is supported by the elbows.

Variations

Hamsasana is identical to Mayurasana except that the hands are placed with the fingers pointing forwards.
Padma Mayurasana has the legs crossed as in Lotus Position.