Eight Angle (Astavakrasana)

Frog pose takes Reclining Hero pose and turns it on its stomach rather than back. If you can do Reclining Hero you can do Frog. Frog adds extending your check like Cobra pose and grasping your feet with your hands. While Cobra and Reclining Hero have a difficulty level of 4, Frog increases the difficulty level to 6 giving your arms, back, and legs a good stretch.

Like all hatha yoga asanas, always listen to you body to prevent injuries.

English Name: Eight Angle

Sanskrit Name: Astavakrasana

Difficulty Level: 7

Start Position: Easy Sitting

Instructions:

Step 1.

Hook your right shoulder under your right knee and extend your left leg forward on the floor.

Step 2.

Place both hands on the floor on either side of your left thigh.

Step 3.

Pressing into your hands, lift your buttocks off the floor while hooking your left ankle over your right ankle.

Step 4.

Bend your elbows, move your chest forward, extend your legs to the right, and gaze forward.

Step 5.

Hold the pose as long as it feels comfortable. Release. Return to Easy Sitting, and repeat on the other side

Physical Benefits:

• Stretches leg, arm, and shoulder muscles
• Opens up the chest
• Improves lung capacity
• Improves digestions
• Increase leg and arm strength

Mental Benefits

• Reduces stress
• Improves thinking
• Increases focus

Contraindications:

• Arm, wrist, shoulder, or leg injury
• Neck injury
• Carpel tunnel syndrome