What is Karnapidasana?
Karnapidasana is one of the rare poses, which form a part of the Ashtanga Primary series. It mainly helps to practice the fifth limb of the eight-fold path called Pratyahara. It deals with the complete withdrawal of the senses and focuses on the inner being, by shunning off all the distractions. This is one of the advanced yoga asanas, which demands that you should have expertise over poses like Halasana and Shoulder Stand. You also need to have very strong hamstrings, neck muscles, hips, glutes, core, arms and shoulders. Moreover, you have to keep your mind calm and composed, if you want to perfect the pose.
The word, Karnapidasana originated from the Sanskrit verses. You can find the meaning as given underneath.
- Karna means ‘ears’
- Pida means ‘pain’.
- Asana means ‘pose’
Thus, the name translates into Ear Pressure Pose. This advanced deep inversion yoga pose, is a great practice to develop spine extension, hamstring flexibility and mobile shoulder joints. You will also hear the name Raja Halasana being associated with this asana. This is one of the closing series asanas.
How To Do Karnapidasana?
Now, that you know all about it, you can do the asana very easily. But it is a given thought, that you need to practice it under the aegis of a yoga expert.
- You have to start by lying down on the floor, with both the hands by your sides. The palms should face towards the ground.
- Inhale and then you have to exhale and lift your legs off the ground. First you have to achieve the Sarvangasana pose.
- Bend the legs over the head, and try to bring the toes in contact with the ground, on the other side of the head. It should be almost similar to Halasana.
- Your legs should be parallel to the hands that lie flat on the ground, pointing towards the feet.
- You have to raise the buttocks and bend the knees as well. Hold the knees together, till they reach the ground.
- The knees should be touching the ground, and should be aligned with the shoulders. Moreover, you have to ensure to place the knees beside the ears on either side.
- You have to gaze towards the nose.
- Hold the position for a few minutes. You can start with 1 minute and increase the timing accordingly.
- To release yourself from the pose, you have to follow the same steps in reverse order. The steps are first Halasana, then Sarvangasana and finally lying supine on the ground.
Modifications and Variations
- If you are unable to rest the knees on the ground, you can use yoga blocks.
- You can support the inverted position of the body, by interlocking the fingers of the hands, or by placing the hands at the back of the rib cage.
- You can also place a folded blanket or a cushion below the head, if you feel too much pressure.
You can also try the various variations of the pose, like Viparit Karani asana, Sarvangasana and Halasana. These poses will help you to ease into the Karnapidasana pose. However, you need a lot of practice for the same.
You have to inhale and exhale when you are doing the asana, mainly abdominal breathing. Stay for 5 breaths in the final folded inverted pose. Your gaze should be towards the nose, or Nasagra Drishti.
Safety Precautions Of Karnapidasana Decoded
This is not a yoga pose for beginners. So, you should do it, if you have the basic flexibility in your body. While practicing, you should ensure to follow certain guidelines. They are:
- Always do warmup before you attempt this pose.
- Do not eat heavy meals before the practice.
- If you feel any pain or exertion in any of your body parts, while doing the Karnapidasana, you should stop immediately.
- There are a few common mistakes, which many yoga students make. When you are well into the position, you must not move your head from one side to the other.
- Imagine lifting the chest upwards, while doing the asana.
Who Should Avoid Karnapidasana?
If you are an advanced level yoga practitioner, you can do the asana quite easily. For others, this guide below is important.
- If you have cardiac problems, then you should refrain from doing the asana. Moreover, an upside-down position also tends to increase the blood pressure and decrease the heart rate.
- Pregnant women and those women who are having their menstrual cycle, must abstain from doing the pose.
- If you suffer from a slipped disc or Sciatica, or any other neck or spine injury, you must refrain from doing this pose.
- Asthma patients, should not do this pose, as it can increase your breathing problems.
- If you have a herniated disc, and all those who have undergone surgery in the past few months, need to avoid the Karnapidasana.
Benefits of Karnapidasana
The Karnapidasana or Ear Pressure Pose has a lot of benefits, if you practice it correctly. They are as given below:
- This advanced yoga asana comes with a host of benefits. The practice of this asana or pose stretches and strengthens the body. The abdomen, pelvis, neck, shoulders, arms, and legs are all involved. It is ultimately a full-body workout.
- There is an increased flow of blood throughout the body, so you will feel rejuvenated.
- It also improves the body posture.
- This asana or pose helps in the development of the intercostal muscles.
- Once you settle down into the pose, your ears are shut. So, you are cut off from the external world. This helps you to reach a calm state of mind.
- The asana or pose stimulates three chakras, and they are Throat chakra, Sacral Chakra, and the Manipura chakra. This results in purification and productivity.
- As a result of daily practice of this asana, your concentration gets a huge boost.
- It also stimulates the Thyroid gland, and thus maintains the regularity of your menstrual cycle.
- It also cures insomnia and fatigue.
- It manages the performance of the abdominal organs, due to the massaging motion and pressure created.
- It also improves the overall flexibility of the body.
