Something new to try this week: Anantasana

This week we are adding a new pose to our repertoire of balance practice. Anatasana goes by various translations: "Lord Vishnu's Couch," "Vishnu's Repose," or "Sleeping Vishnu." To the left is a representation of Vishnu, reclining and dreaming. Anatasana named as a tribute to this important figure in Hindu mythology.

This basic core-strengthening pose can be practiced by all levels. Balance along the side of your body, using your outstretched arm for support. Imagine that you are balancing along the very edge of your body, perfectly poised between the front and back with your entire torso aligned with your head and legs. Keep your weight from shifting; that's the balance aspect of Anatasana. If you wish, actively engage your legs and feet to extend the legs and hover the feet above the ground. The fullest expression of Anatasana is to extend the upper leg while grasping the big toe and dorsiflexing the foot (to mimic the stem of a lotus blossom). 

If you you are wondering just how Vishnu is part of an asana that doesn't have the word "Vishnu" anywhere in the name, here's a quick explanation. The serpent Anata is an important figure in Hindu mythology. Anata is an endlessly long, dark blue snake whose name is synonymous with the principle of infinity. Not only is Anata a very, very long and very, very blue snake; he has a thousand heads. This is one powerful snake, who can breath fire and forms a canopy to protect Vishnu. Vishnu reclines and rests atop Anata, the Lord of the Serpents who supports Vishnu above the cosmic ocean. Thanks to Ananta's support, while Vishnu rests on his "couch" of Anata's endless back, he dreams the whole universe into being. The pose dedicated to Anata recalls Vishnu's posture as he dreams, effortlessly creating an infinite and seamless universe.

Anantasana requires us to focus our relaxed attention on the edge of our sides, just as Vishnu focuses his relaxed attention to his dreams. Instead of the cosmic energy of Anata to give us support, we must use our core strength and hamstrings to maintain our balance. Vishnu's Couch gives the hamstrings, calves, hips, and thighs an opportunity to lengthen and open. Balancing on one side, then the other, calms the breath and refocuses energy. Try this pose to clear your busy mind and thoughts. When you get up from the pose, you'll have different perspective on the tasks ahead of you. Remember to take calm, deep, and soothing breaths while in this pose, using the same number of breaths for each side.


Until next week, namaste
Nancy