Natarajasana: Pose of the Month

Dancer’s Pose (Natarajasana, Sanskrit) Nata = “dancer”   Raja = “lord, king”

Natarajasana is a standing pose, a balancing posture, a back bend, and a hip and shoulder opener.

Natarajasana develops concentration and grace.

September is a busy time of year.  Evolution Yoga chose Dancer’s Pose as “pose of the month,” because it is both calming and exciting.  This posture invites a sense of contentment (santsosha) even through challenge and rising sensation.

When the world or life feels complicated or chaotic, practice this pose to create stillness, acceptance, confidence and a sense of joyousness despite it all.  Life is full of constant change.  This pose helps you to ride the wave.   When you practice Natarajasana, you are a cosmic dancer- balancing inner and outer world with artfulness and peace.

Natarajasana is one representation of Shiva, yoga’s head deity, who represents transformation.

Natarajasan tones and lengthens the legs and spine, opens the chest and lungs for breathing, and increases range of motion in the hips and shoulders.  Opening your heart through this posture helps reveal inner your radiance.

Read about how to get in to this pose, according to yoga expert in the Iyengar tradition, Kofi Busia.

Dance the month away!