Vinyala

Pose sheet

One-Legged Sage Koundinya’s Pose I

Eka Pāda Kauṇḍinyāsana Iएक पाद कौण्डिन्यासन I

Balance on your hands, torso twisted, one leg sideways and the other back.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Both hands; outer thigh on opposite upper arm; feet lifted.

Enter

  1. From a squat, twist your torso to the left.
  2. Place your outer left thigh high on your right upper arm.
  3. Plant your hands shoulder-width apart; bend your elbows.
  4. Lean your chest forward and lift your feet.
  5. Extend your left leg sideways and your right leg back.

Hold

  1. Keep your outer thigh high on the opposite upper arm.
  2. Lift both shoulders to the same height.
  3. Keep your torso and back leg parallel to the floor.
  4. Straighten both knees and reach your feet in opposite directions.

Exit

  1. Bend your knees and exhale as you lower your feet.
  2. Return to a squat.
  3. Repeat on the other side.
Breathing
Breathe continuously and smoothly.
Gaze
Look forward.
Duration
20 seconds per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • BolsterRest your side leg on a firm bolster.
  • ChairRest your back leg on a chair seat.

Variations

  • Eka Pāda Kauṇḍinyāsana II: thigh on same-side arm, without twisting.
  • Dvi Pāda Kauṇḍinyāsana: both straight legs together sideways.
  • Entry from Śīrṣāsana II.

Signals of effort

  • Body weight supported on both hands.
  • Extended wrists and bent elbows under load.
  • Torso twist with asymmetrical thigh support.
  • Both legs suspended and separated.