Yoga Postures Step-by-Step: Anjaneya-asana

Yoga Postures Step-by-Step
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	Posture:		Anjanaya-asana - The Salutation Pose
	Translation:		The Sanskrit word anjaneya means salutation or praise from the root anj which means to honor, to celebrate, to anoint.

	Pronunciation:		Ahn-jah-nay-ah-sa-na
	Difficulty:		(7)

"As inumerable cups full of water, many reflections of the sun are seen, but the sun is the same; similarly individuals, like cups, are inumerable, but spirit, like the sun, is one."
The Shiva-samhita I.35 II.42-43.

Instructions:

Sit comfortably in the vajra-asana (thunderbolt pose).
Kneel up on your knees until your back, buttocks and thighs are aligned.
Extend your left foot foward bending your left knee at about a 90 degree angle.
Place the palms of your hands together at the heart in the anjali-mudra.
Raise your arms stright up keeping the palms together while bending the head backward and looking up.
Slowly bend backward stretching the arms backward and straightening out the right leg. Hold this position for as long as comfortable while breathing gently through the nostrils.
Come back to the vajara-asana (thunderbolt pose) then reverse the posture by alternating legs.

Comments:
The anjaneya-asana combines several postures and mudras (gestures) in a fluid, evolving flow that combines motion, stretching and holds. It delivers great benefits for the back, arms, chest, legs and hips. Regular practice will strengthen concentration and improve balance.

Perform this posture with a sense of reverence and praise. Take a moment to reside in silence and peace as your hands are held at the heart in the gesture (mudra) of salutation (anjali-mudra). Keep the intention of praise in mind as you extend your arms skyward. Feel your entire body-mind-heart extending outward in recognition of the sacredness of life.

Duration/Repetitions:
Repeat twice on each side.