Vinyala

Pose sheet

Couch Pose

Paryaṅkāsanaपर्यङ्कासन

From Hero Pose, arch your chest and ground your crown and forearms.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Pelvis between feet; knees, shins, foot tops, crown, and forearms grounded.

Enter

  1. Sit in Hero Pose, pelvis grounded between your feet.
  2. Place hands behind you; exhale and lower onto your elbows.
  3. Lift your breastbone and arch your back, keeping your pelvis grounded.
  4. Extend your neck until your crown rests on the floor.
  5. Cross forearms behind your head; hold the opposite upper arms.

Hold

  1. Keep your pelvis between your feet and your knees grounded.
  2. Keep your chest lifted and your torso off the floor.
  3. Rest your forearms on the floor behind your head.
  4. Breathe evenly without holding your breath.

Exit

  1. Inhale, lower your torso and neck, then release your hands.
  2. Use your hands to return to Hero Pose.
  3. Straighten your legs one at a time, then lie down.
Breathing
Breathe evenly through your nose without breath holds.
Gaze
Keep eyes open while learning.
Duration
One minute with even breathing.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Raised seatSit on a block or blanket; adjust your back support.
  • Upper back supportPlace a block between the lower tips of your shoulder blades.
  • Head supportRest your head on a block and support your back too.

Variations

  • Supta Vajrasana: start in Vajrasana, hands on your thighs.

Signals of effort

  • Weight on the crown of your head.
  • Marked extension of your back and neck.
  • Deep flexion of both knees.
  • Arms overhead.