The poses in the third series of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga may appear acrobatic, but they create a sense of "sublime tranquility," which explains the name of the series: Sthira Bhaga.

Traditional Practice Series
Vasishthasana Vasishthasana

Vasiṣṭhāsana: Pose Named after Vasiṣṭha

The "Pose Named after Vi"asiṣṭha" is a powerful side plank pose where the arm and leg of the not supporting side gracefully reach towards the sky.

Vishvamitrasana Vishvamitrasana

Viśvāmitrāsana: Pose Named after Viśvamitra

The "Pose Named after Viśvamitra" is a spectacular side plank pose where the lower leg extends forward over the supporting arm.

Kashyapasana Kashyapasana

Kaśyapāsana: Pose Named after Kaśyapa

The "Pose Named after Kaśyapa" is the first of five poses with one foot behind the head. In this variation, we are in a supine position.

Chakorasana Chakorasana

Cakorāsana: A pose named according to the Cakora-bird

The posture named after the Cakora-bird is an arm balance, with one foot behind the head, and the other leg pointing vertically upwards.

Bhairavasana Bhairavasana

Bhairavāsana: Pose named after Bhairava

The posture named after Bhairava combines a side plank with another opportunity to place the foot behind the head.

Skandasana Skandasana

Skandāsana: Pose named after Skanda

In the pose named after Skanda, one leg is positioned behind the head while the practitioner performs a standing forward bend.

Durvasana Durvasana

Durvāsana: Pose named after Durva

The pose named after Durva is a one-legged balancing position. In an upright stance, the other foot is positioned behind the head.

Urdhva Kukkutasana A Urdhva Kukkutasana A

Ūrdhva Kukkuṭāsana A: The Pose of the 'Upward Rooster'

The pose of the 'Upward Rooster,' Ūrdhva Kukkuṭāsana, is an arm balance position in which the folded legs in the Lotus pose are supported on the upper arms.

Urdhva Kukkutasana B Urdhva Kukkutasana B

Ūrdhva KukkuṭāsanaB: The Pose of the 'Upward Rooster'

In the 'Upward-facing Rooster' pose version B (Ūrdhva Kukkuṭāsana B), energy is directed upwards while the legs in lotus balance on the upper arms. This variation requires heightened attention and a fine sense of balance.

Urdhva Kukkutasana B Urdhva Kukkutasana B

Ūrdhva KukkuṭāsanaB: The Pose of the 'Upward Rooster'

In the 'Upward-facing Rooster' pose version B (Ūrdhva Kukkuṭāsana B), energy is directed upwards while the legs in lotus balance on the upper arms. This variation requires heightened attention and a fine sense of balance.

Galavasana Galavasana

Gālavāsana: Pose dedicated to Gālava

The pose dedicated to Gālava, Gālavāsana, is an arm balance where one shin rests on the upper arms while the other leg extends upward in line with the torso.

Eka Pada Bakasana A Eka Pada Bakasana A

Eka Pāda Bakāsana A: Einbeinige-Kranich-Haltung

Eka Pāda Bakāsana, oder Einbeinige-Kranich-Haltung, ist, in Variante A, eine fortgeschrittene Yoga-Pose, die auf den Armen balanciert. Ein Knie ist am Ellenbogen abgestützt, das andere Bein himmelwärts gestreckt.

Eka Pada Bakasana B Eka Pada Bakasana B

Eka Pāda Bakāsana B: One-Legged Crane Pose

Eka Pāda Bakāsana, or One-Legged Crow Pose, is, in variation B, an advanced yoga pose balancing on arms. One knee is supported on an elbow and the other leg extended forward.

Kaundinyasana A Kaundinyasana A

Kauṇḍinyāsana A: Position dedicated to Kauṇḍinya

Kauṇḍinyāsana, or the position dedicated to Kauṇḍinya, in variant A, is a posture balanced on the arms. Both legs together are pointing to one side.

Kaundinyasana B Kaundinyasana B

Kauṇḍinyāsana B: Position dedicated to Kauṇḍinya

Kauṇḍinyāsana, or the position dedicated to Kauṇḍinya, in variant B, is a posture balanced on the arms. One leg crosses forward, the other extends backwards and up.

Ashtavakrasana A Ashtavakrasana A

Aṣṭāvakrāsana A: Pose of the Sage Aṣṭāvakra

Aṣṭāvakrāsana A or the position dedicated to the sage Aṣṭāvakra is an arm balance with legs entwined to the side.

Ashtavakrasana B Ashtavakrasana B

Aṣṭāvakrāsana A: Pose of the Sage Aṣṭāvakra

Aṣṭāvakrāsana A or the position dedicated to the sage Aṣṭāvakra is an arm balance with legs entwined to the side.

Urdhva Dhanurasana Urdhva Dhanurasana

Ūrdhva Dhanurāsana: Upward-Facing Bow

Ūrdhva Dhanurāsana is a backbend with an upward-facing front body, defined only by the touch of hands and feet to the ground - an upward-facing bow.

Pashchimottanasana Pashchimottanasana

Paścimottānāsana: Seated Forward Bend

In the third series of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga, the practice concludes after the backbend with the classic "Seated Forward Bend" - Paścimottānāsana.

Each week anew!

Week by week, we release poses from the third series of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga. With its hip openers and spectacular arm balances, the third series is the most impressive of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga.

Enjoy!