Pendant Pose

(July 4, 2010)

How To Perform Pendant Pose?

The pendant pose is a variation on the seated lotus position. It is a hand balance pose that is designed to enhance the strength of the hands and improve the balance of the body. By lifting the body up, the body usually becomes unstable in its lotus position. When this instability is corrected, the balance of the body will be improved and the lotus position can be improved to suit this balance.

The lotus position is one of the basic yoga positions. When sitting with the legs crossed in the lotus position, one should make sure that the back is upright. If the back is hunched forward, it will compress the chest and the abdomen and the therapeutic effect of the position will essentially be lost. Once established in the lotus position, one can rest each arm in an extended state on each knee. Hold this lotus position for a minute or two and concentrate on modulating the breathing so that it is steady and deep.

From the lotus position, it is easy to get into the pendant pose. The hands should be placed with the palms flat on the floor beside each thigh. The hand placement is important; they should not be too far forward or back. As a reference point, one should try and have the hands beside the torso so that when fully extended, the hands are parallel to the torso. Once the palms have been placed and anchored, lift the body up so that the weight now rests on the palms and the rest of the body is in the air. This lift should be gradual and without rocking. If there is pain in this process, stop the attempt and try again by realigning the hands so that the weight transfers directly down the arm to the palm. This symmetry is important because a lean forward or backward is likely to cause pain and possibly injury.

The pendant pose differs from the double pigeon pose in two distinct ways. In the double pigeon pose, only a half lotus position is achieved (first on the right side, then on the left side). Secondly, one leans forward onto the palms placed in front of the shins and the body does not leave the ground. Therefore, the pendant pose is a pose based on strength and balance whereas the pigeon pose is designed to stretch the hips and open the pelvis up.

Submitted by A on July 4, 2010 at 02:21

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