Learn the arm balance eight angle pose (astavakrasana) step-by-step. This pose requires core and upper body strength, and very open hips and hamstrings. A sense of humor is also helpful! After you watch, try the classes below that prepare the body and build up to this advanced arm balance.
Here are some classes featuring Eight-Angle Pose.
By Kate Duyn on Sep 24, 2019
Remember where you come from people, you are a vessel for DIVINE LIGHT! An intricately woven texture of movement guided by breath to connect you back with your radiant source. Don't be scared, we gonna get a lil' witchy with this one, drawing pentacle shields in space and such for protection. Shapeshift from Eagle into One-legged Crow, and check in with Ashtavakrasana. Keep radiating that divine light lovers.
By Ally Hamilton on Jun 9, 2019
Serious hip-opening leads the way, as does core strengthening. We’re heading toward astavakrasana, but along the way, we want to open the shoulders, chest and upper back so these areas don’t collapse in the arm balance. Of course, your hips and hamstrings get extra attention, and you know you need to werk that core! Feed the tendencies that strengthen and serve you, and starve the ones that don’t. Release the thoughts that were never yours, and open in the best way possible!
By Angela Kukhahn on May 14, 2019
We build steadily towards some big flying hip openers a.k.a. arm balances! If you’re feeling tired of your routine and are ready to mix it up with some new skills this is the practice for you! We tackle some of the more elusive arm balances Flying Pigeon, Ashtavakrasana and Grasshopper! We start with some hip opening sun salutes to build heat and begin to open the hips and hammies and then steadily layer on the deeper poses so that you arrive at the peak ready to effortlessly move into the more complex postures. Enjoy!
By Lauren Peterson on Mar 28, 2019
This class introduces some arm balances that demand equal amounts of strength and flexibility. There is a lot of preparation for the hips, hamstrings and shoulders. Though a few of the poses are quite challenging, we playfully approach the more advanced poses, giving everyone space to explore. Enjoy, Lauren
By Ally Hamilton on Mar 18, 2019
If you have a lot of energy and you feel like playing, grab your mat! We're going deep into the hips and firing up the core so we can take our open hips for a wild ride. Think koundinyasana II, firefly pose, compass pose, tittibhasana and astavakrasana, with the option to add lotus legs to your tripod headstand or handstand. We have a subscriber in the house, so I wanted to make it extra special ;)
By Ally Hamilton on Oct 31, 2018
Serious hips throughout as we head toward astavakrasana. Core strengthening, hamstring, shoulder and heart opening. Find your inner GPS, your compass pose, and head into savasana feeling free.
By Kate Duyn on Aug 22, 2018
The intention of this particular practice is to let go of old stories that aren't serving us, are out-dated, or aren't even real! Use the Kaleshvara Mudra to help yourself along in this self-improvement project as you steady your breath and come into your center. The flow itself is creative, and forces you to think outside of the box and might help to shake things up a bit if you've felt stuck. Insert a few inspiring characters into the new chapter you are writing: Shiva, Kali and the Sage Ashtava.
By Ally Hamilton on Jan 24, 2018
Go deep in an hour. The hips, hamstrings and shoulders get the love as we make our way to astavakrasana. Use your inner compass to figure out whether it makes sense to take it all the way to the arm balance, or if you should just focus on hip-opening and core strengthening that will lead you to the pose eventually. As ever, it isn’t the destination! Arm balances, core strengthening, backbends and inversions along the way!
By Annie Marks on Nov 30, 2017
Step by step instructions for a funky, fun arm balance that is one of the more accessible of the bunch. This is a great way to get into hips, core and hamstrings as well. The story of ashtavakra is a beautiful one, of inner beauty and strength. Don’t worry about how silly or awkward you may feel in a pose, think of the inner strength and joy you can find in the moment!
By Ally Hamilton on Nov 30, 2017
Whoa, there, Nellie! If you don't want to open your hips deeply, ride off into the sunset now! Otherwise, saddle up, and let's go for a fun ride together! You might end up in eight-angle pose and you might not. You will absolutely open your hips, hamstrings and shoulders along the way, you'll fire up your core, open up your heart, and hopefully even laugh along the way! Ready? Yeehaw Hips!
Ally Hamilton
