Apānāsana

Common Variations:

1. Eka Pāda Apānāsana

Common Modifications:

1. Ardha Apānāsana

Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• Glossary of Āsana & Mudrā Practice Techniques
  – Grouped into Standing, Kneeling, Lying, Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting
• Āsana Practice Articles
• Āsana Practice Pointers
• Prāṇāyāma & Bandha Practice Techniques Glossary
  – Grouped into Primary, Secondary & Ancillary Techniques
• Collected Āsana, Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma Practice & Theory Articles
• Collected Āsana, Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma Sample Practices
• Collected Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma Practice Planning & Theory Questions
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Viniyoga
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Vinyāsa Krama
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Pratikriyāsana
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on the Breath
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Śikṣaṇa
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Rakṣaṇa
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Cikitsā
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Laṅghana
• Collected Practice Theory Posts on Bṛṃhaṇa
• An example personal practice from 2002 from TKV Desikachar……

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“Backbends disturb the length and quality of the exhale,
in that they impact the Apāna and push the Mūla downwards.
Thus we need to consider an appropriate Pratikriyā Āsana
to compensate for this disturbance to the Apāna Sthāna.
Hence Pratikriyā such as Apānāsana to restore the Apāna.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“In terms of a Śikṣaṇa Krama approach,
Desikachar taught how to cultivate a
skill in actively employing a passive
observation whilst practicing Āsana.
Furthermore, this was a focus cultivated
within all the various categories of Āsana.
Therefore this quality of quiet observation
remained a priority whether in Uttānāsana,
Sarvāṅgāsana, Apānāsana, or even Śavāsana.
Within this, one could also suggest that the
less demanding the Āsana, the more there
is scope for sensory or psychic dissipation.
Hence here, the more there is a need for us
to actively employ a passive observation.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers