Natarajasana - take one

Natarajasana

(nata=dancer; raja=lord, king; asana=pose)

This month's project pose for the advanced group practice is Natarajasana.  This is one of my favorite poses of all time.  I love this pose because it requires equal amounts of stability and flexibility.  Plus, its a pose of grace.  In Light on Yoga, Mr. Iyengar says "This vigorous and beautiful pose is dedicated to Siva, Lord of the Dance, who is also the fountain and source of Yoga."  To me that means that this pose represents the pure joy (the dance) inside all of us.  The stance is strong, the heart is wide open and the hands hold the foot above the head.    Pretty symbolic if you ask me!  

There are a few versions of this pose: 

1) both hands holding the ankle with arms bent

2) One arms holding big toe with the thigh parallel to floor and shin perpendicular to floor

3) teardrop version - arms straight overhead

This particular sequence is leading toward version number 1, as described above.  As always, I highly recommend practicing with Light on Yoga and Yoga Resource by your mat.  Invaluable guides for your practice.

Sequence from 7/8/12:

AMV

AMS

Uttanasana 

Sirsasana I - 5 min

Surya A w/Salabasana 3x

Down dog with split at wall

Pinchamayurasana

Surya B 5x

No hands lunge

Ardha bhekasana 

Anjaneyasana

Twisted monkey

Trikonasana 

Ardha chandrasana 

Ardha Chandra chopasana 

Dhanurasana 

Eka pada Dhanurasana prep - on all fours

Baby dancer

Baby kapinjalasana 

Parsvotonasana  

Gomukasasna with shoulder work

EPRK - fwd fold

EPRK w/thigh stretch

Supta virasana - with block in upper back, 1 min hold 2X

Eka pada supta virasana 

Ustrasana 

Eka hasta Ustrasana - one leg in low lunge

EPRK I

Natrajasana - one hand at wall, with strap, middle of the room ( at least 10 min of play)

Bhairadvajasana I

Bhairadvajasana II

Paschimottonasana 

Savasana