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Yoga For You
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy
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COURTESY MANOA YOGA CENTER
In the first stage of Garudasana, the forearms are entwined and the palms brought together.
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Garudasana
Eagle Pose (arm action only) -- The garuda is a mythical bird. The final pose of Garudasana resembles the shape of this eaglelike creature. But this week we focus on the first stage, which brings freedom to the shoulders, arms and wrists.
1. Stand straight with the feet together (Tadasana).
2. Stretch the arms out in line with the shoulders. Open and expand the chest while pulling the arms apart.
3. With an exhalation, swing the arms to the front and cross the upper arms above the elbow.
4. Entwine the forearms and bring the palms together. The thumbs should point toward the face (see photograph).
5. Lift the elbows to the height of the armpits and press the upper arms down to lift the chest. Release the top of the shoulders down the back, toward the floor. Breathe into the upper back and allow that area to open and spread.
6. Hold for up to a minute, then repeat, reversing the position of the arms.
Ray Madigan and
Shelley Choy are certified Iyengar Yoga teachers and co-direct the Manoa Yoga Center at Manoa Marketplace. Visit
www.manoayoga.com or call 382-3910. Manoa Yoga Center, the authors and the Star-Bulletin take no responsibility for any injury arising from the practice of these yoga postures. Readers should seek a doctor's approval before commencing this yoga practice.
