Our resident Yoga Expert Ramkiji demonstrates AshtaVakrasana, one of the advanced Yoga poses. He provides us with an interesting background to this Asana through the story of the great sage Ashtavakra.
BACKGROUND:
"Ashtavakra", His name literally means "eight bends", reflecting the eight physical handicaps he was born with. His parents were Kahoda & Sujatha. Sujatha was the daughter of Aruni also referred to as Uddalaka or Uddalaka Aruni or Uddalaka Varuni, is a revered Vedic sage of Hinduism. Aruni is mentioned in many Vedic era Sanskrit texts, and his philosophical teachings are among the center piece in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Chandogya Upanishad, two of the oldest Upanishadic scriptures.
According to one version of the legends surrounding Ashtavakra, his father was once reciting the Vedas, but erred in correct intonation. The fetus spoke from the womb and asked his father to correct the eight mistakes that he was doing while reciting the Vedic Mantras. The father got angry and cursed him to be born with eight deformities, hence the name 'Ashtavakra'.
His father Kahoda, once went for riches unto Janaka (father of Goddess Sita, father-in-law of Lord SriRama), the ancient king of Videha, for his family as they were poor. He was there defeated in debates of science by Vandin, and in consequence was immersed in water. Hearing of the drowning of her husband, she kept it secret from her child. When Ashtavakra grew up, he learned everything about his curse and his father. Then he asked his mother to come with him to witness the great sacrifice of king Janaka. He was stopped from entering the king sacrifice as only learned Brahamanas and Kings were allowed to enter, and he was just in his tenth year. With the proficiency of art of speaking, he made the king amazed with the knowledge he possessed, so was allowed to enter. There he challenged the Vandin for controversy. After a heated debate, he defeated Vandin in knowledge by words. And asked the king, as Vandin used to cast Brahamanas into water, let him meet with same fate. Vandin then revealed that he is the son of Varun, and explained that the reason he drowned those Brahmins was a ritual that his father is performing from twelve years and needed a large number of Brahmins. By then, the ritual was done and thus all the Brahamins he drowned were freed. His father was very impressed from his son, and while going back home asked him to take a dip in the river 'Samanga'. As Ashtavakra came out of the river, all of his deformities were cured.
BENEFITS Of ASHTAVAKRASANA:
Strengthens the wrists, arms and shoulders
Tones the abdominals
Tones the inner thighs
Improves sense of balance
Helps supply blood to the spine and helps to eliminate toxins.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Injury of the shoulders, arms, wrists, neck, hips, knees, lower back, ankles, feet and pelvis, are all contraindications, hence should be avoided. Individuals with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome should also avoid practising this pose.
Individuals with back pain issues or those with herniated discs (any part of the spine) should avoid practicing this pose.
Since breathing can be restricted while trying to hold the body in forward fold and balance, it is advisable for Yoga Practitioners with high blood pressure, heart ailments and vertigo to avoid this pose.
Pregnant women SHOULDN'T try this Asana.
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