Vinyala

Pose sheet

Upward Rooster Pose A–C

Ūrdhva Kukkuṭāsanaऊर्ध्वकुक्कुटासन

Balance on your hands, with straight arms and legs in Lotus.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Both palms and fingers; head and legs raised.

Enter

  1. From Tripod Headstand, place hands shoulder-width apart and spread your fingers.
  2. Form Lotus, each foot on the opposite thigh, right foot first.
  3. Exhale; flex your hips and bring your knees toward your armpits.
  4. Press your hands down; move your chest forward and lift your head.
  5. Straighten your elbows and lift your pelvis, keeping your legs in Lotus.

Hold

  1. Push the floor away and spread your shoulder blades, rounding your back.
  2. Draw your feet toward your abdomen and keep your knees high.
  3. Keep your elbows straight and distribute weight evenly between both hands.
  4. Lift your chest and look forward, keeping your head raised.

Exit

  1. Exhale; bend your elbows and return your crown to Tripod Headstand.
  2. Release Lotus, straighten your legs, and lower them with control.
  3. On another repetition, form Lotus with your left foot first.
Breathing
Breathe normally throughout the hold.
Gaze
Forward; alternatively, toward the floor ahead.
Duration
Five breaths.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Head supportedFrom Tripod in Lotus, draw knees closer; keep your crown grounded.
  • Partial lift from sittingSlide your knees up your arms to the available height.
  • Lotus Scale as preparationPlace hands beside your hips; lift your seated Lotus.

Variations

  • Seated entry: slide your knees up your arms from Lotus.
  • Pārśva Kukkuṭāsana: move Lotus to one side, with a twist.

Signals of effort

  • Body weight on both hands, with wrists extended.
  • Full Lotus: external hip rotation and deeply flexed knees.
  • Entry A passes through Tripod Headstand, with the crown grounded.