What is Eight Angle Pose, Benefits

Eight Angle Pose, or Astavakrasana, comes from the Sanskrit words asta (eight), vakra (bent, curved), and asana (pose). Astavakrasana is dedicated to Sage Astavakra, the spiritual preceptor of King Janaka of Mithila. 

1. What is Eight Angle Pose, Benefits

Eight Angle Pose, or Astavakrasana, comes from the
Sanskrit words asta (eight), vakra (bent, curved), and
asana (pose). Astavakrasana is dedicated to Sage
Astavakra, the spiritual preceptor of King Janaka of
Mithila.

2. The story goes that while still in his mother’s womb
Astavakra heard his father reciting scriptures with
errors and laughed. Upon being shamed by his unborn
son the father cursed Astavakra. The curse caused him
to be born deformed with eight bends and crooks in
his body. Even so he was a very gifted child and was
able to reach enlightenment.

3. Many years later his father entered a philosophical
debate to win the favor of King Janaka, but lost.
Astavakra traveled for nearly 30 days to avenge and
free his father. When he arrived he took part in and
won the philosophical debate. Astavakra became King
Janaka’s preceptor, and his father was so proud that he
took him to the holy river to lift the curse and heal his
bent body.

This story represents the power of will and
determination as well as forgiveness. To accomplish

4. Eight Angle Pose one must remember that life is a
delicate balance of pushing and pulling. One has to be
able to navigate challenging situations by remaining
calm and centered. And one has to find a way to be
strong and rooted, yet still able to grow tall and long.
All are necessary on the path of yoga.


You can channel the necessary strength for this pose
by focusing on the manipura chakra (solar plexus), at
the navel center. This chakra is where personal power,
confidence, and determination reside. Physically this

5. can be considered as core strength. By paying special
attention to the deep core stabilizers, like the
transverse abdominis, you can build up the necessary
power to maintain Eight Angle Pose.

Astavakrasana has many components, it is an
asymmetrical arm balancing pose that also asks for a
deep twist and extension of the legs. You will need to
be both strong and flexible in body and mind.

Ensure that you are properly warmed up prior to
attempting Eight Angle Pose. Focus the warm up on
core awareness through Phalakasana (high plank), add
in shoulder and wrist strengthening with Chaturanga
Dandasana (four limbed staff pose). Open the hips with

6. Eka Pada Rajkapotasana (pigeon pose) and stretch the
hamstrings with Uttanasana (standing forward fold).
And include some twists like Parivritta Utkatasana
(twisted chair pose) and Namaskar Parsvakonasana
(prayer twist).


You can begin to explore this pose on your own using
the cues below:

 Begin seated in Dandasana (staff pose).
 Hold the right foot, bend the leg and bring the
knee over the right shoulder (or as close as you
can get).

7.  Bring the left leg up and across the body,
hooking the left ankle over the right.
 Place the hands down, left hand forward of the
left hip and right hand inside the legs, forward of
the right hip.
 Press through the hands to lift yourself off of the
floor. Play here with supporting yourself while
keeping the ankles locked and legs lifted.
 Once you feel stable begin to lengthen the legs
to the right, using the right leg to pull the left
across.
 Shift the weight forward and bend the arms 90°.
 Keep squeezing the legs together around your
bicep and engage the core to keep yourself lifted.
 Return to Dandasana (staff pose) and repeat on
the other side.

You can modify the posture to your level of practice.
 Add blocks under the hands. To give more room
for the legs to bind and lift.

8.  Bring a bolster under the hip. To rest the body
weight while you work on finding the balance in
the hands.

Eight Angle pose brings a sense of achievement and
personal victory when accomplished. It can act as a
stress reliever and helps to balance the nervous system.
It increases oxygen supply to the brain bringing the
practitioner mental clarity. This pose reverses the flow
of apana vayu (governs waste elimination) which helps
regulate the digestive functions.

By contracting the pelvic floor muscles the
reproductive organs are provided with a supply of
fresh blood. This posture keeps the body well toned,

9. including the abdominal muscles, legs, arms, buttocks,
hips, and sides of the back. With an overall toned body,
there is lengthening of the spine, which helps in
retaining the original shape of the spine.

There are many benefits to including Astavakrasana in
your practice. But take note of a few contraindications
before making it a regular addition.

 Injury to shoulders or wrists.
 Spinal injury.
 Pregnancy.
 Vertigo.
 High blood pressure.

Eight Angle Pose is a challenging arm balance pose
that helps to build endurance. Staying in balance is
tricky and requires stamina. This pose helps to increase
the power and energy in the body, preparing you for
more challenging balance postures.

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