KUKKUTASANA (Cockerel Pose)

 KUKKUTASANA (Cockerel Pose)

Assuming padmasana, insert the hands between the thighs and calves, planting them (the hands) firmly on the ground, raise the body in the air. This is kukkutasana (HYP 23).

Kukkutasana is one of the advanced yoga postures and is also known as Cockerel Pose or Yoga Rooster Pose. The word Kukkutasana comes from Sanskrit, where ‘Kukkut’ means cock or rooster and ‘Asana’ means pose. Kukkutasana is commonly found in you sequences such as Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Core Yoga, or Hip Opening Yoga Sequences.

It is a great posture to add to your home workouts. While considered an advanced yoga posture, mastering Kukkutasana requires some amount of time and practice making it a great asana to try in yoga for beginners.

Technique  of Kurmasana

Sit in padmasana. Insert the right arm between the right thigh and calf muscle, and the left arm between the left thigh and calf muscle. Place the palms of the hands firmly on the ground with the fingers pointing forward. Balance the weight of the body on the hands and raise the body off the ground. The arms and wrists will have to be strong to support the body. Inhale slowly as you raise the body.

Hold the breath in the final position or breathe normally. Remain in the final pose for as long as is comfortable, keeping the head straight and the eyes fixed on a point in front. Exhale while lowering the body to the ground.

People with a lot of hair on the legs may find it difficult and painful to insert the arms between the thighs and calves. Shaving the legs or applying oil to them will ease the problem. Those with a lot of fat or muscle on the legs will also have difficulty.

Benefits of Kurmasana

Kukkutasana is known as the cockerel pose as the shape of the body resembles a cockerel. This asana is said to be useful in the process of awakening kundalini. 

It strengthens the arm and shoulder muscles and gives the sensation of levitation. Normally the body weight is on thelegs and feet, but in this asana it is altered and, therefore, the energies of the body flow in a different direction.