Length:
10 Minutes
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Props Needed:
1-2 Blankets (optional)
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Levels:
Intermediate, Advanced
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Description:
Everybody loves a tortoise, right? Kurmasana is one of those poses whose name is very apropos of the look and feel of the pose itself, as with a round back we draw into ourselves in a deep forward bend. The pose is considered rather sacred in the mythology of yoga, as it is named for Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Visnu, who is the sustainer of the universe, and who in tortoise form helped save the universe from a great flood.
This pose works strongly on the hamstrings and hips while providing a deep release and stretch for the lower back, provided that we keep the round shell of the tortoise rather than trying to flatten it out. The physical aspect of drawing into ourselves in this deep forward bend is symbolic of the withdrawal of our senses into ourselves as we progress along the yoga path and eventually discover a state of Pratyahara, the fifth limb of yoga and a state in which the senses are withdrawn from external objects, preparing us for deep meditation.
This is a rejuvenating pose that will help restore our energy from all the hard work we've done in this yoga challenge. Let Jean Marie guide you through the stages of approaching the full expression of this pose. Enjoy!