Baddha Konasana
{{short description|Seated posture in hatha yoga}}
Baddha Konasana ({{langx|sa|बद्धकोणासन }}; IAST: baddhakoṇāsana), Bound Angle Pose,{{cite web | url=http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/486 | title =Bound Angle Pose |publisher=Yoga Journal | access-date=8 June 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512144732/http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/486| archive-date=12 May 2011 | url-status=live}} Butterfly Pose,{{cite web |last1=Owens |first1=Ben |title=Baddha Konasana: The Butterfly Pose |url=https://www.gaia.com/article/butterfly-pose-baddha-konasana |publisher=Gaia |access-date=18 October 2019}} or Cobbler's Pose (after the typical sitting position of Indian cobblers when they work),{{cite book| last=Claire| first=Thomas| title=Yoga for Men: Postures for Healthy, Stress-Free Living| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yX1LchNb9xkC&pg=PA170| year=2003| publisher=Career Press| isbn=978-1-56414-665-6| page=170}} and historically called Bhadrasana,{{cite web |title=How to do Bhadrasana? |url=http://theyogainstitute.org/how-to-do-bhadrasana/ |publisher=The Yoga Institute |access-date=5 January 2019 |date=3 August 2018}} Throne Pose, is a seated asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise. If the knees rest on the floor, it is suitable as a meditation seat.
Etymology and origins
The name comes from the Sanskrit words बद्ध, Baddha meaning "bound", कोण, Koṇa meaning "angle",{{cite web | url=http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/asana-vinyasa-series/primary-series-yoga-chikitsa/item/baddha-konasana-a/ | title=Baddha Konasana | publisher=Ashtanga Yoga | access-date=11 April 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405152103/http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/asana-vinyasa-series/primary-series-yoga-chikitsa/item/baddha-konasana-a/ | archive-date=5 April 2011 | url-status=dead }} and आसन, Āsana meaning "posture" or "seat".{{cite book |last=Sinha |first=S. C. |title=Dictionary of Philosophy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-zzRvh1fRzEC&pg=PA18 |date=1 June 1996 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7041-293-9 |page=18}}
The name Baddha Konasana is relatively recent, but the pose is medieval, as the meditation seat Bhadrasana (from भद्रा Bhadra, "throne"{{cite web |title=Bhadrasana |url=https://www.sivasakti.com/yoga/asana/bhadrasana-the-throne-pose-2/ |publisher=SivaSakti.com |access-date=5 January 2019}}) is described in the 15th century Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā 1.53-54.
File:Shoemaker, Rajasthan (6358519177).jpg in Rajasthan, working in Ardha Baddha Konasana]]
Description
From sitting position with both the legs outstretched forward, hands by the sides, palms resting on the ground, fingers together pointing forward, the legs are hinged at the knees so the soles of the feet meet. The legs are grasped at the ankles and folded more until the heels reach the perineum. The knees move down to the ground, and with practice reach there; the body is erect and the gaze in front. The asana is held before coming back to the starting position. The thighs are stretched with care. When used for meditation, the hands are placed in Anjali mudra (prayer position) in front of the chest.{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|pp=128–129}}
The pose strongly opens hip and groin,{{cite book |last=Swanson |first=Ann |title=Science of yoga : understand the anatomy and physiology to perfect your practice |publisher=DK Publishing |publication-place=New York, New York |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-4654-7935-8 |oclc=1030608283 |page=50}} and is one of the few yoga asanas that can be practiced comfortably soon after eating, except for the forward-bending variation with the head on the floor. It is claimed in Light on Yoga, citing Grantly Dick Reed's Childbirth Without Fear, that the pose is beneficial to pregnant women, as regular practice reduces pain during delivery.{{sfn|Iyengar|1991|pp=128–129}} If there is a groin or knee injury, the knees must be supported on folded blankets.
Variations
A common variant is Supta Baddha Konasana,{{cite book | author=Bhagat| title=Alternative Therapies| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oKfvc8bvGwsC&pg=PA40| year=2004| publisher=Jaypee Brothers Publishers| isbn=978-81-8061-220-6| page=40}} Cobbler's Pose in Lying Position, from सुप्त, supta, meaning "supine" or "reclining".{{sfn|Mehta|1990|p=81}}
In pregnancy, the pose can be practised reclining as "Wall Butterfly", with the buttocks and feet against a wall, feet together, the knees falling to the sides. The hands can be used to press the knees.{{cite book | last=Lidell | first=Lucy, The Sivananda Yoga Centre | title=The book of yoga | publisher=Ebury | year=1983 | isbn=978-0-85223-297-2 | oclc=12457963 | page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofyoga0000lide/page/165 165] | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/bookofyoga0000lide/page/165 }}
Tarasana, Star Pose, has the body leaning forwards over the clasped feet.{{cite web |title=Tarasana |url=https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/9929/tarasana |publisher=Yogapedia |access-date=4 February 2019}}
With the thighs supported on folded blankets, 10-pound sandbags may be placed on the inner thigh (near the groin) to assist the stretch.
File:Kashinath asana.jpg|Supta Baddha Konasana, Reclining Cobbler's Pose
File:Mr-yoga-star-pose.jpg|Tarasana, Star Pose
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Sources
{{Commons category|Baddha Konasana}}
- {{cite book |last=Iyengar |first=B. K. S. |author-link=B. K. S. Iyengar |title=Light on Yoga |publisher=Thorsons |publication-place=London |year=1991 |orig-year=1966 |isbn=978-0-00-714516-4 |oclc=51315708 }}
- {{cite book |last=Mehta |first=Silva; Mehta, Mira; Mehta, Shyam |author-link=Mira Mehta |date=1990 |title=Yoga: The Iyengar Way |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |isbn=978-0-86318-420-8 }}
{{Asana}}
{{Yoga as exercise}}
{{Hatha yoga}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baddha Konasana}}