A Brief Guide to Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Balance is the key to a happy life. Whether you relate it with life in general or yoga practice, balance is important. You need to always keep on shifting your weight so that you stand erect and in perfect alignment while practicing yoga. That is where the Eagle pose (Garudasana) comes into action.

The practice of Eagle pose (Garudasana) helps strengthen your single-leg balance. We have curated a list of some easy steps in which you can practice the Eagle pose. Moreover, don’t forget to read different variations of this pose. Also, check out the numerous benefits of practicing the Eagle pose (Garudasana) in a long run. Let’s get started.

What is the Eagle Pose (Garudasana)?

The Eagle pose (Garudasana) is a balancing pose that also works on your leg muscles. While practicing the Eagle pose, you gain single-leg strength.

Further, it stretches out the outside of your thighs. Moreover, practicing this pose twists your hip joint that ensures your lower body is strong and flexible. Eagle pose (Garudasana) is the perfect pose that improves your strength and flexibility.

Let’s have a glimpse of the easy steps to practice the Eagle pose (Garudasana). Read on.

Steps to Practice Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Stand in the Mountain pose with feet either joined together or with a little gap between them.
Bend your knees a little to get in the form of a Chair pose.
Shift your body weight to a single leg. You can choose any leg you want.
Raise your left leg such that you do not disturb the Chair pose.
Bring your left leg in front of your right leg.
Place your left thigh over your right thigh.
Wrap your left foot over your right calf.
Make a Namaste pose with your hands and bring them right in front of your face.
Wrap one arm over the other with hands in front of you.
Bend forward a little to stretch your hamstrings a little.

Variations of the Eagle pose (Garudasana)

One of the easiest variations of the Eagle pose that can be of great help to you is as follows:

Stand straight and bend your legs a little.
Lift your right leg and wrap it around your left leg.
However, you can place a yoga block right beside your left foot.
Instead of wrapping your leg completely, place your right foot on the block.
This prepares your body to be in the Eagle pose (Garudasana) for a little longer.

Benefits of Practicing Eagle pose (Garudasana)

Stronger Legs

Standing on your legs while practicing the Eagle pose is going to increase their power. Your legs can bear more weight that sustains longer yoga practice.

Furthermore, it is one of the best standing poses that makes your smaller muscles strong. Leg muscles are tested beyond their regular limits which ensures you become stronger below the waist.

Flexible Ankle Joints

You bend your legs a little while practicing the Eagle pose. That targets your ankles. So, you have to stay in a complex positionthat ensures your ankles become injury-proof.

Furthermore, better ankle flexibility helps you have better mobility. The smaller bones present in your feet stay in a perfect shape that further improve the overall balance of your body.

Tight Core

Wrapping your legs and arms changes the center of mass of your body. These imbalance your core. However, when you tighten your core to balance the core of mass, you get tighter core muscles.

Moreover, flexing the core muscles ensures you stay in a perfect form while practicing the Eagle pose. It also benefits you when you practice various other yoga poses.

Flexible Hamstrings

The bending forward motion of your body while practicing the Eagle pose is enough to stretch your hamstrings. Over time, you get lose hips, flexible hamstrings, and mobile lower back.