Asana - Pincha Mayurasana

Featured Pose
Pincha Mayurasana
(Peacock Feather Pose)

In Pincha Mayurasana, we dare to trust our divine nature and innate power to transform. After all, the male peacock grows and sheds these long feathers each and every year – about 150 of them. Right before he displays his feathers, he lifts them upright, thus the shape of this magnificent pose.

Symbolically, the peacock feather embodies lightness, beauty & wisdom. In ancient Greece, the peacock was the patron bird of the goddess Hera. According to myth, she placed ‘eyes’ on the feathers, representing all-seeing knowledge and wisdom. In Hindu mythology, the peacock symbolized the qualities of the god, Lakshmi who was full of kindness and patience. In Christianity, the peacock symbolized eternal life and the Resurrection, shedding its feathers and growing them back with unfaltering faith.

I find this pose to be expressive of our integrity as we endeavour to better ourselves, our lives and the lives around us. This pose stimulates the upper chakras, which are the energy centers that run up through the spine. The upper chakras correspond to issues such as love, creativity, and insight. As we express these virtues through our poses, we are able to deepen our capacity for transformation.

Benefits: Increases circulation to the brain, enhances upper body strength, develops a sense of balance, energizes the mind & body

Getting Started:
To prepare for Peacock Feather Pose, perform the following poses (go to www.yogajournal.com if you need descriptions):
Salamba Matsyasana (Supported Fish Pose)
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)
Dolphin Pose (Downward Dog on forearms)
Lunge
Phalakasana (Plank Pose)
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Uttanasana (Extended Forward Fold)
Parsvakonasana (Side Angle Pose)
Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand) using a wall

Using a Wall:
Come to hands and knees. Hands are shoulder width apart (Figs. 1 & 2), fingers spread with index fingers forming the number ‘11’. Knees are hip width apart, middle toes run direct lines up to bony protrusions at the hips. Fingertips will be about 12 inches from the wall.

Bend the elbows to bring the forearms to the floor. Elbows are shoulder width apart, forearms are parallel. Press the inner wrists to the floor and resist the elbows.

Keeping the shoulders above the elbows, deeply soften the space between the shoulder blades (Figs. 3 & 4), allowing the heart to melt.

Maintaining the softness between the shoulder blades, inhale the knees up, pressing the thigh bones back to straighten the legs (Fig. 5)

Keeping the shoulders above the elbows, walk the feet closer to the wall. Lift one leg straight (Fig. 6).

Bend the supporting leg and gently kick up to the wall.

Rest both heels on the wall, and draw the inner thighs strongly together. Keep the chin lifted and reaffirm the softness in the upper back.

Press one foot into the wall and straighten the other leg (Fig. 7); work to bring the hips directly over the shoulders, keeping front, back and sides of the torso lifted equally to help maintain the lift of the lower back.

Explore your balance and extend the other leg. Keep the legs dynamic and strong, toes spread.

Stay as long as you can maintain this alignment, then slowly release one leg down at a time.

Rest in child’s pose for three breaths.