Eight Angle Pose (Ashtavakrasana)

A lateral arm balance that demands both upper-body strength and whole-body coordination as the legs wrap around one arm and extend to the side while the torso hovers parallel to the floor. It builds tremendous core engagement, wrist stability, and hip flexibility, and is a satisfying peak pose in power or advanced vinyasa sequences. The practitioner hooks both legs over one upper arm, crosses the ankles, and presses into the palms to lift and straighten the legs while leaning the torso forward.

Cues

• Root firmly through all four corners of both palms before initiating the lift, keeping the wrists stacked under the shoulders.
• Squeeze your legs together and actively push through the heels to create the lever that stabilizes the balance.
• Draw the low belly in and up so the hips stay light and do not sag toward the floor.
• Gaze forward and slightly downward to maintain a long, neutral neck throughout the hold.