Y ogG.sanas, Bandha and Kriya. 389- Eka Piida Riijakapotiisana I Twenty-eight* (Plate 542)
Eka means one, pada the leg or foot and kapota a dove or pigeon.
Rajakapota means the king of pigeons. In this asana, the chest is pushed
forward like that of a pouter pigeon, hence the name of the pose.
Te chnique- Sit on the floor, with the legs stretched straight in front. (Plate 77)
- Bend the right knee and place the right foot on the floor so that the
right heel touches the left groin. Keep the right knee on the floor.
3· Take the left leg back and rest its entire length straight on the floor.
The front of the left thigh, knee and shin and the upper part of the
toes of the left foot will then touch the floor.
4· Place the palms on the waist, push the chest forward, stretch the neck,
throw the head as far back as possible and balance for some time in
this preparatory movement of the pose. (Plate 539)
5395· Now rest the hands on the floor in front, bend the left knee and lift
the left foot up near to the head. The left leg from the knee to the
ankle should be perpendicular to the floor and to achieve this, tighten the
muscles of the left thigh.
- With an exhalation, take the right arm over the head and grip the
left foot with the right hand. (Plate 540.) Take a few breaths. Then
exhale again and catch the left foot with the left hand. Rest the head
against the left foot. (Plate 541) - Push the chest fo rward, move the hands further down, grip the ankles
and lower the head so that the upper lip touches the left heel. (Plate