Elephant's Trunk Pose (Eka Hasta Bhujasana) 🐘

eka (one) + hasta (hand) + bhuja (shoulder) + asana (pose)

In honour of International Elephant Day, our weekly asana was a no brainer: Elephant Trunk Pose. Also known as One-Legged Insect Pose (we prefer Elephant), this is an advanced arm balance, &, to make it more challenging, is an asymmetrical pose to boot (i.e., not mirror-symmetric for both sides of the body at the same time). Elephant Trunk strengthens your wrists, arms, shoulders, core, abdominal muscles & obliques; stretches the hips & groin; stabilizes the pelvic girdle; releases the muscles around your knee, while strengthening the fronts of your thighs (the quads); & hones your balance & coordination. It´s imperative that you warm up beforehand, so consider loosening up with, for example, Cradle Pose, Shoulder Press Pose, &/or Crow Pose. Afterwards, spend some time in Bridge Pose, Head-to-Knee Pose, &/or Cobbler´s Pose. For most of us, Elephant Trunk - or its many variations - takes a lot of time & practice, but eventually, you´ll be blasting your elephant´s trumpet like the most experienced of pachyderms!  🐘

Benefits:

• strengthens your wrists, arms, shoulders, core, abdominal muscles & obliques

• stretches your hips & groin

• stabilizes your pelvic girdle

• increases flexibility of the hips the & mobility of wrist joints

• helps revent help prevent osteoporosis

• releases the muscles around your knee, while strengthening the fronts of your thighs (the quads)

• hones your balance & coordination

• helps improve digestion

• as a super deep hip opener, it assists in eliminating pent-up negative emotions

• energizes body & mind, & boosts self-esteem
  

Remember: a drishti point is imperative, so keep your gaze soft & forward & don´t forget to engage your mula bandha or root lock (wherein the body from anus to navel is contracted & lifted up & towards the spine). Press into all 4 corners of your palms, keep your wrists close to your hips & directly beneath your elbows, & keep your toes pointed. Your bent leg should be pressing actively into your upper arm. Your shoulder blades should be broad.

Props: You can place your hands on blocks to give yourself more elevation, or under the heel of your extended foot/leg.

Avoid or modify Elephant Trunk Pose if you:

• have had any shoulder, wrist, or hip injury / surgeries

• suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• have high blood pressure

• lack Breath-Body Awareness

• are pregnant or post-natal.