Durvasasana


Durvasasana or Durvasana, is an advanced standing asana in hatha yoga.

Etymology and origins

The pose is named after Durvasa, a proverbially angry sage.
The 18th century Hathabhyasapaddhati verse 81 describes a pose that it names Trivikramasana with the words "Place a foot on the neck and stand up".
The 19th century Sritattvanidhi describes and illustrates a pose that it names Trivikramasana, but which the yoga scholar Norman Sjoman states is Durvasasana.

Description

Durvasasana is an advanced standing balancing pose with one leg behind the neck; the hands are held together over the chest in prayer position. As well as rating the pose of difficulty level 21, B. K. S. Iyengar states that it is difficult to balance in the pose, and recommends using a support to begin with. In Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, the breathing in the pose is stated to be either natural or ujjayi.
Eka Pada Sirsasana is a seated form of the foot behind the head pose.