Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Sleeping Eagle Pose Mean?
Sleeping eagle pose is a balancing yoga posture, and a variation on eagle pose. The posture is entered from eagle pose by folding the torso forwards and hooking the elbows over the knees. The body is balanced just like eagle pose on one leg, and the spine may be kept long, or allowed to round once the elbows are on the knees.
This is a valuable posture in yoga for improving balance and stability. It can be a more difficult variation of eagle pose for some due to the fact that moving into the posture can be challenging for the balance. However, some practitioners find that once in the posture, it feels more stable than eagle pose.
Yogapedia Explains Sleeping Eagle Pose
Some of the benefits of sleeping eagle pose include:
- Develops proprioception
- Strengthens the muscles of the core, legs, feet and ankles
- Engages the adductor muscles in the inner thighs
- Releases tightness between the shoulders
- Improves focus and concentration
- Stretches the spine
Sleeping eagle pose is also considered by many to be a calming and soothing posture, good for balancing the mind.
To modify the pose, instead of coming into the full fold forward, it is possible to just fold some of the way forward and keep the elbows lifted off the knee. This can be a more strengthening variation. To make the balance easier, it can be practiced close to a wall or with a partner for support.
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