Enquiries Into Yogic Philosophy

The Horse Pose

January 10, 2014

Ashwasanchalanasana  (Horse Pose/Low Lunge)

How To

  1. In the Padahastasana place your fingers next to your toes so that they are in line with each other.
  2. Lift your right leg off of the floor, take it back and place it on the floor.
  3. Look forward.
  4. Make sure that your left knee is in line with your left ankle.  The knee should NEVER go beyond the level of the ankle.
  5. Look straight ahead.
  6. Repeat on left side.

Variations

If your legs and thighs are a bit stiff, or if you have weak knees and ankles, then place your back knee on the floor.

Benefits

  • Great to strengthen the legs.
  • Relieves stress by opening up the groin region and the hips.
  • Helps in stretching and strengthening the spine.
  • Opens up the chest and enables deeper breathing.
  • Provides a massage to the abdominal organs and stimulates digestion.
  • Corrects curvature of the back.
  • Alleviates symptoms of sciatica.

Contraindications

  • Practice with caution if you have a knee injury.
  • Be cautious if you’ve had a neck injury.  Don’t strain to look forward, look down instead.
  • Practice with caution if pregnant.  If required place the back knee on the floor.
  • Practice with caution if you have a back injury.
  • Do not practice if you have stomach ulcers.
  • Do not practice if you’ve just undergone abdominal surgery.
Also called the Anjaneya asana, the horse pose and the low lunge.

Also called the Anjaneya asana, the horse pose and the low lunge.

3 Comments

  • Reply Krishna Pal March 24, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    Hi, I’m suffering from Fibromayalgia for the past seventeen years. I enjoy yoga. I would be really grateful if you could guide me with some asanas and pranayama which could help me overcome this disease.
    I also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

    • Reply pragya.bhatt May 8, 2014 at 12:09 pm

      Hi Krishna,

      Unfortunately popular media has made it sound that doing only a specific set of asanas can cure conditions such as Fibromayalgia and IBS. The truth is that a holistic yoga practice is the only solution for any conditions. A regular yoga practice done for several months (several years depending on the severity of your condition) is the only way to combat your symptoms. Again, there is no ‘prescription’ of asanas and pranayama for different conditions, which is why yoga is a ‘practice’ and not something done in doses.

  • Reply Tight Hips & Deep-Seated Insecurities: A Connection - Yoga with Pragya December 14, 2019 at 12:47 pm

    […] Start in Ashwasanchalanasana. […]

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