Vinyala

Pose sheet

Shoulder-Pressing Pose

Bhujapīḍāsanaभुजपीडासन

Balance on your hands, thighs on arms and ankles crossed in front.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Both palms; thighs on arms; feet and pelvis lifted.

Enter

  1. Squat with your feet apart and knees wide.
  2. Lean your torso between your thighs and raise your hips.
  3. Slide arms under thighs; plant palms behind heels, fingers pointing forward.
  4. Exhale, shift your hips back; press down and lift your feet.
  5. Cross your right ankle over your left and lift your head.

Hold

  1. Squeeze your thighs against your arms and maintain the ankle crossing.
  2. Press down, lengthen your arms, and broaden your upper back.
  3. Keep your feet lifted and your head raised.
  4. Bring your elbows to shoulder width.

Exit

  1. Exhale, bend your elbows, uncross your ankles, and lower your feet.
  2. Move into Standing Forward Bend.
  3. Repeat with your left ankle over your right.
Breathing
Breathe normally.
Gaze
Straight ahead.
Duration
30 seconds; repeat with ankles crossed oppositely.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Blocks beneath handsPlace each palm on a low block, just behind your heel.
  • ChairSupport your hips on a chair; place hands on low blocks.
  • Supported hips near a wallRest hips on stacked blocks near a wall, facing away.
  • Wedge beneath handsPlace palm heels high on the wedge, with fingers sloping downward.

Variations

  • Chin grounded, feet lifted.
  • Legs extended and apart: Firefly Pose.
  • Feet together, ankles uncrossed: Dwi Hasta Bhujāsana.

Signals of effort

  • Body weight supported on both hands.
  • Wrists extended under load.
  • Deep hip flexion with knees wide.