Eka Pada Actions: Preparing for Hanumanasana (Short Course; level: Experienced beginners)

The ‘Eka Pada’ action: literally, meaning One (Eka) Leg (Pada) appear in many asanas – from the basic to the advanced.  At its simplest, it might just involve holding one leg steady while moving the other  (as in supta padangusthasana or utthita hasta padangusthasana).  In its more complex forms it involves the two legs scissoring away from each other in opposite directions, culminating in the  hanumanasana: the celestial monkey in majestic mid leap.  While hanumanasana itself might not be accessible to many people, the separation of the front and back legs moving away from each other in the saggital plain is important to maintain the health and mobility all along the legs, the knee and hip joints, and the groins.  This has become even more relevant these days with our sedentary lifestyles and long hours of seating on chairs, as well as the popularity of physical activities such as running and bicycling, that involve repetitive short range movement of the legs.

Part1: Eka pada Actions – Mobilising the Two Legs Away from Each Other in Basic asana Positions

Part2: The ‘Eka pada‘ of Back Arches: Focus on Mobility and Strengthening before Extending – eka pada preparation for back arches: strength and mobility