Matsyasana (; ) or Fish pose
is a reclining back-bending
asana
An āsana (Sanskrit: आसन) is a body posture, originally and still a general term for a sitting meditation pose,Verse 46, chapter II, "Patanjali Yoga sutras" by Swami Prabhavananda, published by the Sri Ramakrishna Math p. 111 and late ...
in
hatha yoga
Hatha yoga (; Sanskrit हठयोग, International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''haṭhayoga'') is a branch of yoga that uses physical techniques to try to preserve and channel vital force or energy. The Sanskrit word ह ...
and modern
yoga as exercise
Yoga as exercise is a physical activity consisting mainly of asana, postures, often connected by vinyasa, flowing sequences, sometimes accompanied by pranayama, breathing exercises, and frequently ending with savasana, relaxation lying down or ...
.
Etymology and origins
The name comes from the Sanskrit words () meaning "fish"
and () meaning "posture" or "seat".
The asana is medieval, described in the 17th century ''
Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā'' 2.21.
Description
The asana is a
backbend, where the practitioner lies on his or her back and lifts the heart (
anahata
Anahata (, IAST: , ) or heart chakra is the fourth primary chakra, according to Hindu Yoga, Yogic, Shakta and Vajrayana, Buddhist Tantric traditions. In Sanskrit, ''anahata'' means "unhurt, unstruck, and unbeaten". ''Anahata Nad'' refers to t ...
)
chakra
A chakra (; ; ) is one of the various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, part of the inner traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The concept of the chakra arose in Hinduism. B ...
by rising up on the elbows and drawing the shoulders back. The neck is lengthened, and the crown of the head
Sahasrara chakra
A chakra (; ; ) is one of the various focal points used in a variety of ancient meditation practices, collectively denominated as Tantra, part of the inner traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The concept of the chakra arose in Hinduism. B ...
is "pointed" toward the 'wall' behind the practitioner. As the arch of the back deepens with practice, and the heart and throat open further, the top of the head may brush the ground, but no weight should rest upon it.
Within the
Ashtanga (vinyasa) yoga Primary Series, it is considered a counterasana to
Sarvangasana
Sarvangasana (), Shoulder stand, or more fully Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulder stand), is an inverted asana in modern yoga as exercise; similar poses were used in medieval hatha yoga as a mudra.
Many named variations exist, including wit ...
, shoulder stand.
Variations
* The legs can be kept straight on the ground, or with knees bent and feet on the floor, for practitioners unable to do
Padmasana with the legs.
[
* The legs again straight can be lifted off the ground, for a "challenging variation".][
* The hands may be placed before the heart in ]Añjali Mudrā
''Añjali Mudrā'' () is a hand gesture mainly associated with Indian religions and arts, encountered throughout Asia. It is a part of Indian classical dance such as Bharatanatyam, yoga practice, and forms part of the greeting Namaste. Among th ...
, making the pose more difficult.[
The pose can be supported with a bolster under the back, and with a cushion under the knees.]
References
Further reading
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External links
Matsyasana
{{Hatha yoga
Reclining asanas
Medieval Hatha Yoga asanas
Backbend asanas