The flight of the Eagle

This Blog was published for Families Magazine on the 28/01/2011  by Anja Brierley Lange. Please have a look to stay up to date with the blogs and other interesting articles. I also welcome you to join my newsletter HERE, 

Birds have always fascinated me. The thought of being able to just fly high in the sky! This blog is about a mystical bird – the Garuda…

I hope this blog will inspire you to start/continue your practise. If you need a little more encouragement then listen to – and practise to – some of my recorded classes online on www.yogaembodied.com or join a class in Streatham, Chelsea or Parsons Green. Enjoy!

Standing poses are great for strengthening the legs, ankles and for your physical balance. We try to stay grounded, stabile and well connected and then we can take flight into the unknown and new experiences.

In all yoga asana practices think of ‘Stability before Flexibility’. And as you find balance through your physical body notice that your breath starts to become calmer and your thoughts begin to become quiet.

Garuda is sometimes translated as Eagle. But the Garuda is a mystical bird-like creature in Indian mythology. When the god Vishnu met the Garuda he gave him immortality and Garuda became Vishnu’s vehicle on which he can travel across the Universe.

In the pose Garudasana you need focus, strength and a calm breath. Start in a standing position (Tadasana) with your feet firmly grounded. Bend your knees as if you are about to sit in a high chair (Utkatasana). Let your spine lengthen out of your pelvis and cross your right thigh on top of your left – as if you are sitting cross legged. Either keep your right toes on the floor or move your right shin behind your left lower leg. Sink your hips and engage a strong sense of connection to your core muscles.

When ready, move your forearms together in front of your chest – let the elbows meet. Stay here or bring your left upper arm on top of your right upper arm. Now embody the Garuda! Remember to do both sides.

Think of an eagle soaring in the thermal. It just glides high in the sky with seemingly no effort. Don’t be afraid of wobbling in this pose but let your breath and focus bring you back to your flight high in the sky.

Aside from balance and concentration – physically and mentally – this pose is great for your ankles, reproductive system and urinary system. It is a very ‘closed’ posture and bring an inward awareness as it creates space in your back body especially across your shoulder blades and lower back.

Try this variation to start with, if you have balance issues or is pregnant. Staying with the toes touching the floor for balance.

When you are ready for a deeper pose try this variation.

Do a few warming up postures before your Garudasana: cat/cow stretches, sun salutations or lunges. As with all yoga asana practice ask your health advisor before you begin a new physical exercise and speak to a qualified yoga teacher before your practice.