Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Apanasana Mean?
Apanasana is a relaxing supine asana often performed at the end of a yoga sequence. Apana is Sanskrit for “downward-moving life force” and asana means “pose” or “posture.” As the name implies, this posture is thought to help move toxins downward, through and out of the body.
To perform apanasana, the yogi lays on his/her back and brings both knees in toward the chest, with the legs and feet together.
Apanasana is also known as knees-to-chest pose in English.
Yogapedia Explains Apanasana
Known for it’s benefits on the internal organs and digestive system, apanasana eliminates toxins, stimulates the organs and releases tension from the body.
In this posture, the head is in a neutral position and the yogi works to press the spine into the floor from the base of the skull to the tailbone, which creates stability and allows for increased pressure to be applied to the legs. With the knees pulled into the chest, the yogi can keep the arms alongside the body or bind the posture by wrapping the forearms around the tops of the calves and clasping the hands. The pressure created in the chest and abdomen increases blood flow to the lungs and internal organs while also stimulating the colon to eliminate gas and waste.
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