Jams :)

Me Practicing Garudasana (Eagle Pose)

Full Posture Demonstrated Professionally

                                               

http://www.givingyoga.org/id3.html

Garudasana

Sanskrit Name:  Garudasana
               - Garuda: eagle, king of the birds (originated from Hindu mythology)

English Name: The Eagle Pose

How to do the Eagle Pose

1) Stand in Tadasana (mountain pose), with your feet together and arms at your sides.

2) While keeping your palms open, cross your right arm over your left and raise your left arm with your hand stretching towards the ceiling.

3) Bring your palms together as close as possible, depending on your flexibility.  Your fingers should be pointed upwards.

4) While maintaining the position of your arms, slightly bend your knees without going over your toes.

5) Slowly lift your left leg, cross it to your right thigh as you curve your right foot around your left calf.  Inhale and hold it for 15 to 30 seconds before you exhale and return to Tadasana.  Repeat the steps by switching your arms and legs.

Alignment and Muscular Actions Involved

• Make sure you are facing straight when standing in Tadasana.
• While standing in Tadasana, plant the 4 corners of your feet in the ground and have your toe mounds touch.
• Contract your quadriceps and keep your arms firmly to your sides.
• When holding the posture, keep the four corners of your foot planted into the ground. 
• Move your shoulders down and in, and open your heart center.

Physical and Therapeutic Benefits

• Improve concentration
• Stretch and strengthen your calves and ankles
• Stretch the upper back, shoulders, hips, and thighs
• Improve sense-of-balance

How I Feel

• When I first started to practice it was hard to balance on one foot.  I kept getting frustrated from not being able to balance well.
• After a lot of practice, I was able to hold the pose for a couple of minutes.  While holding the pose I felt very in touch with my body and mind.
• I felt myself very relaxed while holding this pose, and it allowed me to forget of all my worries and stress that was on my mind.
• This pose challenges my flexibility and pushes me harder and harder each time to get a little further than the last.

References

• http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/info/eagle-pose.asp

              - Sanskrit meaning and name
              - How to get in and out of the asana, alignments

• http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/bald-eagle/

              - Picture of eagle

• http://www.yoga-from-a-to-z.com/garudasana.html

             - Physical and Therapeutic Benefits