Yoga JournalUSA-January-February_2017

43

february 2017

yogajournal.com

Krounchasana

prep, pages 4o–41 Krounchasana

Stay safe

Your body speaks to you constantly. Although it is always important to be alert to what it says, pay exquisite

attention when moving in ways that test your limits. Your knees and back can be particularly vulnerable in

Krounchasana. To protect your back, continuously lengthen your spine upward. To protect your knees, set

your pride and ambition aside and take support from props until you no longer need it. Ahimsa (nonharming)

is the cornerstone of every yoga practice, so respect the shouts, sighs, and whispers your body sends.

5 Pull against your raised foot and spread your elbows sideways to lift

the sides of your body and keep your trunk upright. Staying on the left sit-

ting bone, exhale, move your head and torso forward, and simultaneously

stretch your left leg up and draw it back. Keep your knee firm and move

your thighbone toward the back of your leg. If possible, rest your forehead

on your left shin. Relax your eyes and soften your temples. Release any ten-

sion in your neck and throat. When you pacify your senses, this pose can

bring you to a state of deep quiet and profound inner awareness. Hold for

20–30 seconds, release, and switch sides.

krouncha = heron · asana = pose

Heron Pose

Krounchasana

}

WATCH THIS!

For more step-by-step

instructions, go to

yogajournal.com/yogapedia