The Eight-Angle Pose (a.k.a. Astavakrasana) offers an excellent opportunity to practice blending seriousness and playfulness. Most students find the arm balance difficult and demanding. Strength, flexibility, concentration, balance, and perseverance are all are essential for performing this pose.
Instructions:
Place your palms on the floor beside your hips, fingers pointing forward. Bend your right knee, drawing it back and up toward your torso. Send your right arm under your right leg high beneath your right thigh. Replace your right hand as close to your right hip as possible. Your right leg will be suspended over your right triceps. Bend and cross your left leg over your right, overlapping the left ankle over the right. Press your hands firmly into the floor and lift up initially. Next, rotate to balance the weight of your hips and torso parallel to the floor, keeping length in the torso. Keep both arms in right angles to the floor. Send both legs to the right, surrounding and pressing against the right arm, taking as much of the bend out of each knee as possible.
Tip: Remember, breath is the most important part of the posture.
