Kukkutasana


Kukkutasana, Cockerel Pose, or Rooster Posture is an asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise.

Etymology and origins

The name comes from the Sanskrit words kukkuṭā meaning "cockerel" and asana meaning "posture" or "seat".
The asana is described in medieval hatha yoga texts including the 7th century Ahirbudhnya Saṃhitā, the 13th century Vasishtha Samhita, the 15th century Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 1.23, the 17th century Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā 2.31, and the Bahr al-hayat c. 1602.

Description

The pose is entered from Padmasana. The hands are threaded through behind the knees, and the weight of the body is supported by the hands pressed down on the floor, the arms straight.

Variations

Variations include Urdhva Kukkutasana and Parsva Kukkutasana.

Claims

Twentieth century advocates of some schools of yoga, such as B. K. S. Iyengar, made claims for the effects of yoga on specific organs, without adducing any evidence.
Iyengar claimed that this pose "strengthens the wrists and abdominal walls."