Ashtanga Pranam – The 8 Point Salutation
Ashta = eight,
Anga = part, limbs.
Pranam = in this instance the translation is bowing to or to bow down.
This posture is also known as Astangasana or the 8 limbed pose. It is a transitional posture found between Santolasana (plank) and Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (upward facing dog) or Bhujangasana (cobra).
This posture will strengthen the upper body and core it also helps to keep the spine agile. This posture can be used as a transition in Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) and throughout Vinyasa style classes. It is also perfect as an alternative if the arms feel too tired to move from Santolasana (plank) to Chaturanga Dandasana (the four limbed staff) or low plank.
How to Perform Ashtanga Pranam – the 8 point salutation
Begin in Santolasana (a high plank) which is similar to a press up position, on an exhalation lower your knees, chest and chin to the ground whilst keeping the hips lifted. This is Ashtanga Pranam, the toes, knees, hands chest and chin all make contact with the ground creating eight points of contact.
This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and yoga teacher training courses.
