Bidalasana
Bidalasana (Sanskrit: बिडालासन; IAST: biḍālāsana) or Marjariasana (Sanskrit: मार्जरीआसन; IAST: mārjārīāsana), both meaning Cat Pose in Sanskrit, is a kneeling asana in modern yoga as exercise.[1] A variant with one leg held up is Vyaghrasana (Sanskrit: व्याघ्रासन; IAST: vyaghrāsana), Tiger Pose; a similar variant with one leg held straight out is Chakravakasana (Sanskrit: चक्रवाकासन; IAST: cakravākāsana), Sunbird Pose. A variant with the back lowered is Bitilasana (Sanskrit: बितिलासन; IAST: bitilāsana), Cow Pose; this is often used as the counter-posture, and a widely used exercise is to alternate between Cat and Cow Poses repeatedly.
Etymology and origins
[edit]The name Bidalasana, बिडालासन, is from the Sanskrit बिडाल, biḍāl, meaning "cat", and "āsana" meaning "posture" or "seat".[2] The alternative name Marjariasana (also written Marjaryasana), मार्जरीआसन, is similarly from मार्जरी, mārjārī, also meaning "cat".[3] A similar pose was described in Niels Bukh's early 20th century Danish text Primary Gymnastics as "prone-kneeling position",[4] which in turn was derived from a 19th-century Scandinavian tradition of gymnastics.[5]
A different asana, Marjarottanasana, meaning upside-down cat stretch pose, is illustrated in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi.[6]
A pose named Vyaghrasana or tiger pose is listed but not described in the 17th century Hatha Ratnavali.[7]
Description
[edit]The practitioner kneels on all fours and slowly raises and lowers the back, transitioning in a gentle vinyasa between Cat and Cow Poses, and exercising the core muscles that support the spine.[8]
The pose is considered in Sivananda Yoga to be suitable for use during pregnancy.[9][2]
Variations
[edit]In variations of the pose, one leg is stretched out straight, and the knee of the stretched out leg may then be bent so the foot points straight up; the opposite hand may also be stretched out in Vyaghrasana, Tiger Pose[10][11] The similar Chakravakasana, Sunbird Pose, has the leg and arm stretched out straight, horizontally.[12]
Cat Pose is often alternated with Bitilasana, Cow Pose, where the belly and back are lowered and the hips and shoulders remain unmoved.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Anon (28 August 2007). "Cat Pose - Marjaryasana". Yoga Journal.
- ^ a b Holstein, Barbara B. (1988). Shaping Up for a Healthy Pregnancy. Life Enhancement Publications. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-87322-926-5.
- ^ "Cat Pose". Yoga Journal. 7 January 2019 [2007].
- ^ Bukh, Niels (2010) [1924]. Primary Gymnastics. Tufts Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-1446527351.
- ^ Singleton, Mark (4 February 2011). "The Ancient & Modern Roots of Yoga". Yoga Journal.
- ^ Sjoman, Norman E. (1999) [1996]. The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace. Abhinav Publications. pp. 81 and plate 14 (pose 82). ISBN 81-7017-389-2.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Schiffmann, Erich (2013). Yoga The Spirit And Practice Of Moving Into Stillness. Simon and Schuster. pp. 89–94. ISBN 978-1-4767-3562-7.
- ^ Lidell, Lucy; The Sivananda Yoga Centre (1983). The book of yoga. Ebury. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-85223-297-2. OCLC 12457963.
- ^ "Vyaghrasana – Tiger Pose". Pranayoga. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ "Vyaghrasana: The Tiger". Yoga in Daily Life. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ "Sunbird Pose". Yogapedia. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ "Cow Pose". Yoga Journal. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.