Hanumanasana, Seated Splits, Monkey Pose

Hanumanasana Andrea Boudin. Photography © Brian D. Brady

 

 

Hanumanasana, (Sanskrit: हनुमानासन) or Monkey Pose^, Seated Splits  is an asana.

 

Hanuman = powerful Hindu deity with physical features of a monkey 

 

This pose, in which the legs are split forward and back, mimics Hanuman's famous leap from the southern tip of India to the island of Sri Lanka.

The yogi pushes one leg forward and one leg backwards until they are in the splits position. Once the yogi has moved the legs into position, there are several variations of arm and upper body position including Añjali Mudrā.