Jānuśīrṣāsana
Encyclopedia
Janu Sirsasana Head-to-Knee Pose, Head-to-Knee Forward Bend, Head of the Knee Pose, or Head-on-Knee Pose is a yoga asana
. It is part of the Ashtanga Yoga
Primary Series and is commonly practiced as a seated pose in many styles of yoga.
(Headstand).
Janu Sirsasana is a spinal twist, as well as a forward fold. It is a pose to enjoy asymmetry. The potential is to free up constriction in different parts of the back and to loosen the hamstrings.
Janu Sirsasana differs from Paschimottanasana
in its asymmetry in the legs and hips, and in the twisting action this asana imparts to the spine.
Asana
Asana is a body position, typically associated with the practice of Yoga, originally identified as a mastery of sitting still, with the spine as a conduit of biodynamic union...
. It is part of the Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga is a system of yoga popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois, and which is often promoted as a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga...
Primary Series and is commonly practiced as a seated pose in many styles of yoga.
Etymology
The name comes from the Sanskrit words janu (जानु, jānu) meaning "knee", shirsha (शीर्ष, Śīrṣa) meaning "head", and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat". Although it bears a similar name, Janu Sirsanana bears little resemblance to SirsasanaSirsasana
Sirsasana, Shirshasana, Sirshasana , or Headstand, is an asana.In the Supported Headstand , the body is completely inverted, and held upright supported by the forearms, while the crown of the head rests lightly on the floor.Sirsasana is nicknamed "king" of all the yoga poses.-Etymology:The name...
(Headstand).
Description
In a seated position, one leg is extended with toes pointing upward, and the other leg is bent with knee pointing away from the straight leg and the sole of the foot in by the groin. The torso turns and folds over the extended leg.Janu Sirsasana is a spinal twist, as well as a forward fold. It is a pose to enjoy asymmetry. The potential is to free up constriction in different parts of the back and to loosen the hamstrings.
Janu Sirsasana differs from Paschimottanasana
Paschimottanasana
Paschimottanasana , Seated Forward Bend, or Intense Dorsal Stretch, is an asana.Together with Padmasana , Siddhasana and Vajrasana , this pose is an accomplished pose according to the Shiva Samhita...
in its asymmetry in the legs and hips, and in the twisting action this asana imparts to the spine.
Variations
There are many variations to the practice of Janu Sirsasana. These include:- Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose) begins in the same seated leg position as Janu Sirsanana, but with the torso revolved to face toward the bent leg, then bending sideways over the straight leg.
- Janu Sirsasana B is set up the same as Janu Sirsasana (also known as "Janu Sirsasana A") but with the foot of the bent leg placed under the thigh of the straight leg.
- Janu Sirsasana C is set up the same as Janu Sirsasana A, but with the foot of the bent leg turned so that the hell points upward and the toes press down into the earth.