Asana Digest Overview

Pose

Garudasana (Eagle Pose)

Objective

Become knowledgeable about the pose and review detailed teaching considerations.

Description

Explain the Sanskrit naming; associated benefits and typical effects; instructions and cues for setting up and practicing the pose; and more teaching considerations.

Prerequisite Knowledge

The focus of Asana Digests is teaching specific poses. This support presumes you’re aware of the groundwork and teaching support here: Asana Category – Balancing Poses.

Poses Overview

Garudasana

gah-rue-DAHS-anna
“Garuda” = Mythological name of the “king of birds” who transports Lord Vishnu
Eagle Pose

Heart of Pose

• Standing Balance
• Hip & Shoulder Opening

Joint Actions

The following are from Leslie Kaminoff’s book, Yoga Anatomy.

• Mild spinal flexion
• Scapula abduction, upward & lateral rotation, elevation
• Elbow flexion
• Pelvis anterior tilt, counternutation
• Hip flexion, internal rotation, adduction
• Knee flexion, internal rotation
• Ankle dorsiflexion
• Foot – lifted in eversion, standing in slight supination
• See also: Joint Movements & ROM

Preparation

• To help prepare legs for Garudasana, consider poses such as Utkatasana (Chair Pose), Vrksasana (Tree Pose), and Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose).
• To help prepare shoulders for Garudasana, consider poses such as Bridge Flows, Shoulder Stretches, Ardha Garudasana (One Arm at a Time), Thread the Needle / Reach Under the Bed,  and Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)

Much More in this Digest

Asana Digests are precisely organized so that you can quickly get what you need. Please select from the menu above and be sure to review any contraindications and cautions.

Related Support

• Asana Categories
• General Alignment Principles
• Alignment Cueing