Akarna dhanurasana

This asana involves another system of pulling the leg which gives the impression of a bow with an arrow to be shot and hence, the name akarna dhanurasana. Akarna refers to being stretched.

"Holding the toes (alternately) with hands, pulling them (the toes) up to the (corresponding or opposite) ears, (and thus) assuming the shape of a streched bow. This is called Akarna-Dhanurasana." According to jyotsna commentary by Brahmananda.


Steps:

1. Bend the left leg in knee and keep the foot on the thigh of right leg. Keep the right leg straight.

2. Hold the big toe of the left leg with left hand, and that of the right leg with the right hand.

3. Exhale, and inhaling start lifting the left leg with the left hand and pull it up to the left ear, and stabilize it at that point.

4. Continue normal breathing.

5. After few seconds come back to the original position.

6. Now holding the right leg at big toe by fore finger and thumb of right hand raise it up to the right ear. Again after few seconds come back to the original position. This completes one round of Akarna-Dhanurasana.

Benefits:
1. It is a good posture to remove the pain of back and lumbar region.
2. It increases the elasticity of thigh joint and shoulder.
3. It is also useful in arthritis and rheumatic condition.

Precautions:
1. In this asana the direction of strain is towards the joints of the waist.
2. Persons with weak waist joints should not do this asana as it brings great strain to the joints.