Yoga Pose:
Durvasasana
Important Note
Take special precautions while doing any asana. If you are learning yoga, then take the advice of a knowledgeable person. Do not put any kind of force in the event of pain or unable to do so. Keep in mind that you will be able to succeed only with constant practice.
Brief Introduction Of The Durvasasana
Durvasasana is a very challenging pose that belongs to the third series of the Ashtanga Yoga asana. It is also referred to as the ‘Pose of the Sage’. You have to use the force of the Ujjayi breath to get the concentration for staying balanced and focused in your journey to the awareness of self. The pose is said to be dedicated to the sage Durvasa, known for his fiery temper as well as knowledge and depth of meditation.
How To Do The Durvasasana?
- This is an advanced balancing pose where you are supposed to stand with one of your legs behind your neck. Your hands must be held over your chest together, in the position of a prayer.
- Here are the steps to performing this pose in a proper manner:
- Sit with both of your legs spread forward.
- Put a leg on the back part of your head, with your shoulder lending proper support to it.
- As you bend your other leg, sit with the support of your hands. Stand up gradually while balancing your body.
- In case you are not able to stand fully upright at the first attempt, try to stand erect by slightly bending your body.
- Now enter a posture of salutation with your hands in the final position.
- Stand for as long you are able to do so, without being touched.
- Sit gradually with reflexes.
- After doing that, change your legs to enter the same position.
- While in the standing position, breathe normally. Breathe naturally when at full posture and breathe out while you are sitting. Breathe according to your choice. Meditate by focusing your mind on the Anahata Chakra. In this posture, when your hands are spread wide, it is known as Yan asana.
- If you find that you unable to maintain your balance in the standing pose, you may try the seated form of Durvasasana, which is ‘Eka Pada Sirsasana’. As in case of the standing pose, you have to take your foot behind your head. Only, your body will be seated in this posture rather than standing up. This is a safer way to do to the asana for elderly people. Once you are accustomed to the seated form, you can progress to the standing form of the pose.
Benefits Of The Durvasasana
- When you perform this Yoga posture regularly, it can bring humility and balance in your life. You can find more harmony in your life and be able to live with a more measured and calculated approach.
- Durvasasana can also make you soft-spoken. You will not like to speak unnecessarily, and talk only when needed. The posture can give you more control over your speech and mind.
- Regular performance of this pose can make you respect yourself. You can be more aware of what goes on inside your mind and body, and can feel a greater understanding of who you are and what you wish to be.
- If you suffer from tremors of feet from time to time, it can come to a step as you perform this pose. This posture can be very useful for you in resolving these physical issues and getting over the tremors naturally.
- It can also alleviate pain in your back, and improve the flexibility of your spinal column. If you have a job that needs you to sit for a long time every day, you are sure to experience stiffness and pain in the lower back. Your legs might be stiff as well. All these problems can be resolved with the regular practice of this specific pose.
- It can also make the upper part of your body function better. You can feel more energetic, as there is better circulation of blood and nutrients to the heart and all the other organs in the upper part of your body.
- You can also gain more focus. Absolute concentration is very important for difficult tasks, but few people have a razor sharp focus to act on everyday tasks with proper concentration. Regular practice of Durvasasana can give you the clarity of mind and that brilliant focus that can help you attend to important tasks with single-minded attention.
Precautions To Be Taken While Doing The Durvasasana
- It is quite tough to maintain your balance while performing this pose, which is exactly the reason you should begin by using a support. During Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, while performing this pose, your breathing needs to be either Ujjayi or natural.
- When you are performing it for the first time, stand close to a wall. It is better to have someone, such as a friend or a family member, stand or sit near you. He / she can grab you and prevent a fall. Falling down while having your feet locked behind your head can be extremely injurious to your health, and might even have fatal consequences. Thus, you should not take the risk.
- If you have heart disease, too much back pain, spinal cord problems or Sciatica, avoid this pose. It is a good idea to consult your doctor and find out what he / she has to recommend you. It can be wise to hire an expert Yoga teacher who performs and teaches such advanced level Yoga postures, so that you can have a proper understanding of how to do the pose perfectly.
- If you are planning to perform the seated form of the Durvasasana, try to sit on a Yoga mat and not on bare floor surface. Otherwise, it might hurt your back. The same holds true for almost every Yoga posture, and even for meditation or Pranayama.
Conclusion
A tough pose, Durvasasana is undoubtedly quite difficult to master and practice. However, with time and constant efforts, you can get the ability to perform it easily. Do not lose hope if you cannot perform it in a single day or even in one month. Keep in mind that the posture needs you to be extremely flexible, and high flexibility is not attained in just one day.
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