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Utkatasana (; ), Chair Pose, or fierce pose, is a standing asana in modern
The name comes from the Sanskrit words () meaning "wild, frightening, above the usual, intense, gigantic, furious, or heavy", and () meaning "posture" or "seat".
The modern chair-like pose is said to originate with
File:Parivrtta-Utkatasana_Yoga-Asana_Nina-Mel.jpg, Parivritta Utkatasana with the hands in
Benefits
Variations with instructions
{{Hatha yoga Standing asanas Medieval Hatha Yoga asanas Core strength asanas
Utkatasana (; ), Chair Pose, or fierce pose, is a standing asana in 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 ...
. It was a low squatting 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 medieval 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� ...
.
Etymology and origins
The name comes from the Sanskrit words () meaning "wild, frightening, above the usual, intense, gigantic, furious, or heavy", and () meaning "posture" or "seat".
The modern chair-like pose is said to originate with Krishnamacharya
Tirumala Krishnamacharya (18 November 1888 – 28 February 1989) was an Indian yoga as exercise, yoga teacher, ayurvedic healer and scholar. He is seen as one of the most important gurus of modern yoga, and is often called "Father of Modern ...
. An older version of the pose, with the yogin squatting lower down on to the heels in a posture close to Upaveshasana, is shown in the 19th century '' Sritattvanidhi''.
Description
In Utkatasana, the knees are hips-width apart and bent. The hips are back, and the chest is forward. Both arms are above the head, in line with the ears. The spine is elongated, and the sternum is lifted. This pose is shaped like a lightning bolt and is said to be powerful and stimulating.Variations
Ardha Utkatasana has the knees bent closer to a right angle so the thighs are more nearly parallel to the floor, and the body is inclined forwards closer to the thighs. Parivritta Utkatasana is the rotated variant; the hands are pressed together in front of the chest inAnjali Mudra
Añjali (Devanagari: अञ्जलि) is a Sanskrit word that means "salutation" or "reverence". It is not only a given name, but also the name given to the greeting between Hindus, Buddhists and other religions on the Indian subcontinent: Añj ...
, the lower elbow is pressed against the outside of the opposite knee, and the gaze is directed upwards.
Utkata Konasana, Goddess Pose, has the legs wide apart, the feet turned outwards in line with the thighs, and the knees bent. The arms are usually raised with the elbows bent; variants have the arms straight up, or the hands may be held in Añjali Mudrā, prayer position in front of the chest.
Anjali Mudra
Añjali (Devanagari: अञ्जलि) is a Sanskrit word that means "salutation" or "reverence". It is not only a given name, but also the name given to the greeting between Hindus, Buddhists and other religions on the Indian subcontinent: Añj ...
File:2007-08-24 Hawaii Shiva Rea.jpg, Shiva Rea demonstrating Utkata Konasana with a hand mudra
A mudra (; , , "seal", "mark", or "gesture"; ) is a symbolic or ritual gesture or pose in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. While some mudras involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers.
As well as being spiritual ges ...
See also
* Pashasana, another squatting poseReferences
External links
Benefits
Variations with instructions
{{Hatha yoga Standing asanas Medieval Hatha Yoga asanas Core strength asanas