Bird of Paradise - Yoga Pose

Yoga is an age-old practice of traditional physical and mental disciplines from India. Although there is no physical evidence that can claim how long the principles of yoga have existed, early archaeological evidence depicts that the stone seals of yoga asanas (or poses) have been around 3,000 B.C. In today's world, yoga has made the journey across the entire world and earned its glory. Many western cultures have adopted yoga as a part of their physical regime and reaped the benefits as well. As there are many yoga poses and postures that are performed at different physical levels, let's take a look at one of the advanced poses - Bird of Paradise pose. This pose, along with other advanced yoga poses, is extremely effective in increasing flexibility, flushing toxins from the body, increasing lubrication in joints, ligaments and tendons, massaging all the organs, toning the muscles, and much more.

How the Pose is Done

If you're a beginner in learning yoga, then you probably shouldn't try to imitate the posture at this point. The pose is taught much later, actually, it's taught in more advanced levels of yoga. For those who have had practice and have studied different yoga postures should attempt it. Before we begin, you'll need a yoga mat, comfortable clothing, a strap for the bind, and do some stretching before you begin the pose.

Step #1: The first thing about yoga is that you have to keep breathing normally. So don't forget to do so in this powerful and challenging pose. Place the yoga mat on the floor and stand with your feet part. Keep it apart as much as you can (beyond shoulder length). Keep your feet turned out and bend your right leg in the right direction, but keep your thigh parallel to the floor and your knee shouldn't go beyond your right foot.

Step #2: Place your right elbow on the right knee and keep your left arm stretched out and over your head. Breathe as deeply as you can because it helps you stretch very easily. Now take the bind in your right hand and bring the left arm behind, towards the back. The right arm (which has the bind) will go and meet the left arm from between your legs. Hold the bind with both ends.

Step #3: Bring your right shoulder to point towards the floor and the left shoulder opens up. Gaze over the left shoulder towards the ceiling. Keep breathing normally. Both the hands will keep holding the bind and only the lower body will change position. Bring your right leg in, while placing the left leg firm on the yoga mat. Slowly make the transition and try not to lose your balance or leave the bind. Keep your right hand between your legs and do the switch with the legs.

Step #4: Keep your legs shoulder width apart and lift your right heel up (keeping the ball of your right foot still on the floor). Slowly lift your entire right leg off the yoga mat, breathe normally, and try to balance your body weight on the left leg. With your hands still in the bind, lift your right leg as high as you can. Straighten the right leg to the right side and hold the pose.

Step #5: Keep your knees straight and relax your shoulders. Stand as tall as possible and keep breathing normally. Slowly bring your right leg down and unlock yourself from the bind. Voila, you have successfully completed the pose. Now it's time to perform the same thing on the other side.

While you're executing the bird of paradise pose, make sure you plant both your feet on the yoga mat at the time of the transition. Each step requires a sense of balance and flexibility. As I mentioned earlier, this is an advanced yoga pose, you should practice this pose under your yoga instructor's supervision.