Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• Yoga Postures in Practice – A series on Āsana by Paul Part 1 Samasthiti
• Yoga Postures in Practice – A series on Āsana by Paul Part 2 Tāḍāsana
• Yoga Postures in Practice – A series on Āsana by Paul Part 3 Uttānāsana
• Yoga Postures in Practice – A series on Āsana by Paul Part 4 Utkaṭāsana

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“Don’t always visualise the physical form.
In other words not just a vertical
axis of the legs and the spine,
but instead the feeling of Uttāna.
It may be some years before it is
vertical or it may be vertical
without a feeling of Uttāna.”
– TKV Desikachar 1991

“Short and Longer Term prerequisites for: 
Eka Pāda Uttāna Mayūrāsana include
– Dvi Pāda Pīṭham
– Sarvāṅgāsana
– Halāsana
– Śalabhāsana
– Dhanurāsana”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“Uttānāsana is an intense standing forward bend.
It is often used to begin a sequence of Āsana.
Its use can improve mobility in the primary joints
and extend muscles, primarily on the back of the body.
Its form respects the movements adapted in daily life.
The use of an intense closing Āsana implies
some cautions in the stretched areas of the body,
such as the lower back, sacrum, hips and legs.
The awareness can be placed on the abdomen
leading to a longer, smoother exhalation and
counterbalancing, with this inner work, the
physical effort required by its dynamic approach.
There are a number of adaptations to support
the student experiencing a feeling of melding
between the energetic flow of the movement
and the depth and stillness of the breath.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“Janu Śīrṣāsana, known as the head to knee Āsana,
combines the qualities of a seated forward bend with
those of an asymmetrical pose, in that it works first,
on one side of the body more, then on the other side.
In this Āsana, the physical focus is on the lengthening
of the muscles of the back, spine and the extended leg,
and the rotational effects on the joints in the folded leg.
Plus, with its seated forward bend Bhāvana, there is
a natural support favouring the exhalation, offering
opportunities to both lengthen and deepen the breath.
This support, along with its  internalising and closing
qualities, offers possibilities for the student to focus on
the quality of the attention within the form of the body.
Thus, using Janu Śīrṣāsana with its seated forward bend
Bhāvana, and when linked with a mindful breath, can help
the student to experience the deeper function of the Āsana,
even if there are limitations with regard to its Śikṣaṇa form.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“Plan a practice where the Pradhāna or crown
is working dynamically in the Pūrṇa form
of Eka Pāda Uttāna Mayūrāsana.”
– Yoga Practice Planning Question Series
– Yoga Practice Planning and Theory Questions – Collected & Collated