yoga positions - Ardha Bheka Kapotasana

Translation: Half Frog Pigeon
This Pigeon Pose has elements of Bhekasana the Frog pose. In one the upper body is sideways and in the other the chest faces forward. Doing this pose will allow you to eventually perform Vamadevasana a very old pose named after a god of destruction.

Bend the back leg and place the hand over the toes or foot to help lever the lower leg down. Push down on the foot to stretch the Quadriceps.

For an easier version of this pose place the arm down on the mat instead of forward or up. Raising an arm up will allow the chest to align forward.

Benefits
This yoga posture stretches the hip, knees and quadriceps.

Risks
The meniscus of the knee is very vulnerable. If the knee and hip are not flexible keep the hand on the mat supporting the knee joint and reducing the pressure. You want to avoid sudden motions when the weight and force fall on the knee because this is a vulnerable time. Haste will get you in trouble. This is quite often done by students. Be aware of the necessity to enter all yoga postures slowly and with grace. Especially one that twists and bends a joint simultaneously.

Knee muscle really prevent the stretch from deepening. These are the popliteus which wraps around the tibia and inserts in the femur at the inner part of the end of the bone. Close the that on the outside of the knee is the arcuate popliteal ligament and the lateral collateral ligament of the knee and the medial collateral ligement. These bind the Fibula and femur together at the outer part of the knee joint. These are also stretched along with the knees internal ligaments.

Vinyasa Yoga Sequencing and Flowing
Vinyasa Yoga postures to transition from and to:

Ardha Chandrasana, Anjaneyasana, Ardha Padmasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Eka Pada Adho Muka Svanasana, Janu Sirsasana, Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana, Parivrtta Parighasana, Cat Flow, Adho Mukha Dandasana, Parsva Dandasana, Chaturanga Dandasana, Astangasana, Salabhasana, Bhujangasana, Upavistha Parivrttasana, Salamba Kapotasana, Kapotasana, Adho Muka Kapotasana, Hanumanasana, Navasana

Yoga Teacher Tips
A wonderful resting pose after a hard standing sequence of standing posture or Sun Salutations.

"When lines of force feel straight they usually are. In this pose there is a straight line through the arms all the way up to the toes of the raised leg."