Mayurasana – Peacock Pose In Yoga

Mayurasana (peacock pose) is a part of the advanced group of asanas mentioned in the book “Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati that are designed to further improve the health of a person who is already very healthy.

How to do Mayurasana – Peacock Pose In Yoga

• Kneel on the floor.
• Place the feet together and separate the knees.
• Lean forward and place both palms between the knees on the floor with the fingers pointing towards the feet. The hand position will have to be adjusted according to comfort and flexibility.
• Bring the elbows and forearms together.
• Lean further forward and rest the abdomen on the elbows and the chest on the upper arms.
• Stretch the legs backward so they are straight and together. Tense the muscles of the body and slowly elevate the t1unk and legs so that they are horizontal to the floor.
• Hold the head upward.
• The whole body should now be balanced only on the palms of the hands.
• Try to elevate the legs and feet higher, keeping them straight by applying more muscular effort and by adjusting the balance of the body.
• Do not strain.
• In the final position, the weight of the body should be supported by the muscles of the abdomen and not the chest.
• Maintain the pose for a short period of time, then slowly return to the base position.
• This is one round.
• The asana may be repeated when the breathing rate has returned to normal.

Breathing pattern while doing Mayurasana – Peacock Pose In Yoga

• Exhale while raising the body fro1n the floor. Inhale while lowering the body back to the floor.
• To begin with, hold the breath out in the final position. Advanced practitioners may breathe slowly and deeply in the pose.
• Allow the breathing to return to normal before attempting a second round.

Sequence while doing while doing Mayurasana – Peacock Pose In Yoga

• Perform at the end of an asana session. Mayurasana speeds up the circulation quite vigorously and tends to increase the amount of toxins in the blood as part of the process of purification.
• Therefore, it should never be practised before any inverted asana as it may direct excess toxins to the brain.

Mayurasana Benefits

• This asana stimulates the metabolic processes which increase secretions from different glands. 
• It stimulates the elimination of toxins from the blood, assisting the removal of skin conditions such as boils. All the digestive organs are massaged and intestinal peristalsis is stimulated. 
• It is useful in managing flatulence, constipation, diabetes and sluggishness of the liver and kidneys. It harmonizes the glands of the endocrine system, develops mental and physical balance, strengthens the muscles of the whole body and develops muscular control. In particular, the toxins accumulated in the body are burnt, bringing the three doshas or humours: vata, wind, kapha, phlegm, and pitta, bile, into balance and harmony.

Precautions while doing while doing Mayurasana – Peacock Pose In Yoga

• Mayurasana should not be practised by people with high blood pressure or any heart ailment, hernia, peptic or duodenal ulcer. This pose should not be attempted if there is any sign of illness or physical weakness. 
• Pregnant women are strongly advised not to practise this asana. Cautions for inverted postures apply.

Practice note: 

• As women have a different muscular system to men in the abdomen and chest areas, they may find mayurasana difficult to perform.
• It is very easy to fall forward from the final position and crush the nose on the floor. So be careful and, if necessary, place a small cushion on the floor under the face.