Challenge Pose: Hanumanasana
PREVIOUS STEP IN YOGAPEDIA 3 Ways to Prep for Hanumanasana
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Hanumanasana
Hanuman = Monkey God/Chief · Asana = Pose
Benefits
Stretches your hamstrings and psoas and iliacus (hip flexors); the dual challenges of this pose demand a level of presence and precision that focuses and quiets your mind.




See also Challenge Pose: One-Legged Inverted Staff Pose
Stay Safe
As your left foot and pelvis move forward and your legs straighten, it is essential to sustain your Tadasana pelvis (your pelvis is square to the wall in front of you and the two sides of your torso are equally long). When your pelvis is misaligned, either because it is uneven or spills too far forward, your SI joint and lumbar spine become vulnerable to strain.
If you haven’t yet found openness to bring both thighs to the floor while maintaining a Tadasana pelvis, place a block, blanket, or bolster beneath your upper front thigh, and continue to use your hands for support. Never force the pose beyond the capacity of your hamstrings and hip flexors; it can overstretch and pull these muscles.
See also Poses for Your Pelvis
About Our Pro
Teacher and model Natasha Rizopoulos is a senior teacher at Down Under Yoga in Boston, where she offers classes and leads 200- and 300-hour teacher trainings. A dedicated Ashtanga practitioner for many years, she became equally as captivated by the precision of the Iyengar system. These two traditions inform her teaching and her dynamic, anatomy-based vinyasa system Align Your Flow. For more information, visit natasharizopoulos.com.