Classic Yoga

Introduction

Mayurasana is one of the ancient non-seated yoga postures found mentioned in Amrita Siddhi, a Sanskrit text probably composed in the 10th or 11th Century CE. The text was written approximately five hundred years before Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Hence, this posture has been in practice for at least a thousand years.

Having said that, it is one of the important yoga postures for anyone who wants to learn postural yoga. To facilitate learning this posture, this article undertakes to provide its meaning, steps, and benefits.

Mayurasana Information

Mayurasana Meaning

Mayur in Sanskrit means a peacock. Asana means a posture. Hence, in English, it gets the name Peacock Pose.

This yoga pose resembles the posture of a peacock, hence this name. The position of the hands resembles the legs of the peacock. Also, the position of the legs looks like its tail.

Peacock Pose Procedure

Mayurasana Safety and Precautions

While learning this posture, one may lose balance and hurt her/his nose. To avoid this, one should place a cushion on the floor below his head. Once the posture is learned, it will not be necessary.

Those who have abnormally weak arms and heavy bodies should avoid this posture. Persons who are suffering from Osteoporosis should avoid this practice. Also, persons with the following health conditions should avoid this posture. They should consult his/her physician before taking this practice.

• High Blood Pressure, Stroke, and Cardiac issues
• Pregnancy
• Menstruation
• Hernia

Moreover, one should not combine inverted yoga postures like Head Stand and Shoulder Stand with Peacock pose in a single session.

Preparatory Poses

Mastering this posture requires arm balance. Therefore, one should first prepare himself by taking the practice of poses that improve arm balance. For instance, Swan Pose improves arm balance.

In the Peacock pose, the body is supported by palms only, whereas in the Swan Pose, the body is supported by the palms and toes also.

Hence, it is easier to perform. However, one should not perform inverted postures immediately preceding this practice.

Mayurasana Steps

Step 1

Sit in Thunderbolt Pose

Step 2

Lean forward and place the palms on the floor finger facing the legs. Then, bring the forearms and elbows together. Lean further and place the abdomen on the elbows. Then, rest the chest on the upper arms.

Step 3

Stretch the legs backward and keep them closer together and straight. After that, Raise the torso and legs and keep the body supported only by the palms. Hold the head up.

Step 4

Subsequently, raise the legs and feet further up and together. Now, breathe normally and keep the position as long as you are comfortable.

Step 5

To release the position, bring down your legs to the floor. Then, bring down the trunk and head. Release the palms and place them above the head. Now, take a rest until your breathing comes to normal.

Duration

One may keep the position as long as he feels comfortable. Initially, it may be extended up to thirty seconds or one minute. Thereafter, one may extend this up to two to three minutes. The posture may be repeated for three to five rounds.

Follow Up Postures

After the practice of Peacock Pose, one should choose any of the below-mentioned postures as a follow-up pose.

• Crocodile Posture
• Corpse Posture
• Downward Dog Pose

Mayurasana Variations

For advanced pose considerations, one may go for the following variations.

• Feathered Peacock Pose
• One-Legged Peacock Pose

Mayurasana Benefits

The practice of Peacock Pose gives the following benefits.

• Peacock Pose activates the Manipura Chakra or Navel Plexus. Hence it aids in the process of Kundalini yoga.
• Moreover, the Peacock Pose massages the digestive organs and improves digestion.
• Also, it aids in health conditions like constipation, flatulence, and diabetes.
• Similarly, the Peacock Pose removes toxins from the body. Hence it provides better skin conditions and removes boils.
• Also, it stimulates the organs of the abdomen. Thereby, it improves the functions of the liver, kidney, intestine, and endocrine glands.
• Furthermore, the Peacock Pose activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System. As a result, it develops mental and physical harmony.
• Likewise, Peacock Pose helps in the management of psychosomatic diseases. For instance, it is good for asthma, hypertension, peptic ulcer, spondylosis, personality disorder, gastritis, and rheumatism.
• Moreover, it strengthens the muscles of the abdomen and develops muscular control.
• In traditional yoga therapy, Peacock Pose is advised for body purification and elimination of toxins from the body. Also, it harmonizes the three doshas of the body: wind, bile, and phlegm.

Mayurasana in Yoga Texts

Almost all the medieval Hatha Yoga texts describe Peacock Pose and glorify its importance.

Peacock Pose in Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Hatha Yoga Pradipika describes the Peacock Pose in two verses. Verse 32 describes the steps.

First, place the palms of both hands on the floor. Then, rest the navel on both elbows. After that, stretch the body backward like a stick and keep the balance. This is called Peacock Pose.

– Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.32

The next verse lists the benefits of the Peacock Pose.

It immediately removes all the diseases. Also, it destroys the disorders of the abdomen. Besides, it removes irregularities of three doshas of the body: Wind, Bile, and Phlegm. Moreover, It increases the appetite. Also, it digests the unwholesome food eaten in excess. Even it digests the deadliest poison.

– Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.33

Peacock Posture in Yanjavalkya Samhita

Yanjavalkya Samhita describes eight important yoga postures. Mayurasana is one among them.

First, plant on the floor firmly with the palms of both hands and on the forearms. Then, place the elbows beside the navel. Keep your head and feet raised. Also, keep your body steady in space like a rod. This is the peacock pose that destroys all sin. All internal diseases and poisons become ineffective.

– Yanjavalkya Samhita 1,15-17

Peacock Pose in Hatha Ratnavali

Hatha Ratnavali gives the full list of eighty-four classical yoga poses. According to Verses 3.21 and 3.22, ten of them are more important. They are

• Auspicious Pose
• Cow Face Pose
• Padmasana
• Hero Pose
• Adept Pose
• Mayurasana
• Cockerel Pose
• Bhadrasana
• Lion Pose
• Liberation Pose.

Verse 3.42 describes the steps to do the Peacock Pose. Similarly, Verse 3.43 lists the benefits. Verse 3.44 states “When Mayura is practiced like a stick, it is called Danda-Mayura (Stick Peacock Pose). When practiced on both sides, it is called Parsva-Mayura (Partial Peacock Pose).

With Lotus Posture, it is called Baddhakeki (Bound Peacock Pose or Lotus Peacock Pose) (3.45). Stretching one leg in front and the other leg stretched out forms Pinda-Mayura (3.46).

Placing one leg over the neck and the other leg stretched out forms Ekapada-Mayura (One-Legged Peacock Pose) (3.47).

Peacock Pose in Hatha Tattva Kaumudi

Two verses of Hatha Tattva Kaumudi talk about the Peacock Pose.

Here comes Peacock Pose which removes fever, dropsy, inflammation, toxins, indigestion, severe pain, and the like.

Verse 7.9 describes the steps and the next verse describes the benefits. These details are very similar to other Hatha Yoga Texts.

Gheranda Samhita

Gheranda Samhita Verse 2.19 describes this posture and its benefits.

Place the palms of both hands on the floor and place the navel on the elbows. Stand on hands with legs being raised and crossed like Lotus Posture in the air. This is Peacock Position that makes the unwholesome food ineffective and increases the digestive fire. Also, it makes even the deadliest poisons ineffective. Moreover, it easily cures the diseases like tumors and fever. Such is the greatness of this posture.

– Gheranda Samhita 2.19