Peacock Pose (Mayurasana)

Peacock Pose is a challenging arm balance in which the practitioner supports the entire body horizontally on just two hands, with the elbows pressing firmly into the abdomen and the legs extending straight back like a tail feather. The unique elbow placement creates intra-abdominal pressure that is said to stimulate digestion and detoxification while the pose builds extraordinary wrist, forearm, and core strength. Entry involves kneeling, placing the palms flat with fingers pointing toward the feet, bending the elbows into the belly, then tipping the torso forward until the legs lift off the floor.

Cues

• Turn the fingers to point toward your feet and place the elbows so they press firmly into the lower belly just below the navel.
• Lean the torso forward slowly over the hands until you feel your weight shift and the legs begin to lighten.
• Squeeze the legs together tightly and engage the glutes and core to maintain a perfectly horizontal body line.
• Keep the neck long and the gaze just ahead of your fingertips rather than straining the head upward.