8
CHAPTER
KNEELING POSES
W
hen kneeling, the body’s weight is on the knees, shins, and tops of the feet. Kneeling
brings the center of gravity closer to the ground than standing, but farther from the
ground than sitting. Kneeling, which includes both kneel-sitting and kneel-standing, is an
important transitional place for babies learning to move from sitting to standing.
This position is associated with lowering oneself in the sense of meekness or worship.
This probably evolved from the fact that when kneeling, a person is more vulnerable than
when standing, especially if their head is bowed. Even the proud, upright stance of kings and
pharaohs is tempered by their depiction in this humble position when they are at worship.
Kneeling is also a posture of relaxed alertness that is associated with strength and readi-
ness, as seen in vajrasana and virasana (page 164). In martial arts, kneeling is used as a
preparatory position that is easier to stand from more quickly than sitting cross-legged,
and in the practice of aikido they even train to do throws from kneeling.
In asana, kneeling poses are often used to help mobilize the hip joints. When the mobility
of the feet and lower legs is removed from the base of support, attention can be focused
on the actions in the hip joints, pelvic halves, and pelvic fl oor.
Kneeling also provides a stable and symmetrical base from which the center of gravity
can be raised up so the spine can fully extend, most beautifully expressed in poses such as
ustrasana (page 170) and eka pada rajakapotasana (page 172).