Heron Pose

• Arches
• Thighs
• Hamstrings
• Calves
• Knees
• Ankles
• Hips
• Chest
• Shoulders

• Flat feet
• Flatulence

• Stretches the hamstrings
• Stimulates the abdominal organs and heart

• Menstruation
• If you have any serious knee or ankle problems, avoid the Ardha Virasana (Half Hero Pose) leg position in this pose unless you have the assistance of an experienced instructor. Instead sit with the legs positioned in Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Forward Bend)

Beginning students might have some difficulty doing this pose with the down leg in Ardha Virasana. Start your practice of this pose with the down leg in position for Janu Sirsasana. Practice Virasana regularly to prepare your thighs for the full Krounchasana.

You can add a twist to this pose. First perform Krounchasana. Then take the outside of the raised leg with the opposite-side hand (turn the thumb down toward the floor), and press the same-side hand on the floor behind you. Exhale and swing the leg slightly to the opposite side (i.e., when the right leg is raised, swing it to the left); at the same time, twist the torso toward the raised leg. Hold for 15 seconds or so. Release the twist as you exhale, return the hands to their original grips on the foot, and lower the raised leg to the floor.

Many beginning students won't be able to completely straighten the raised leg or will lose the lift of the chest when attempting to straighten the leg. To counter this, place a strap around the sole of the foot before you try to straighten the leg. Hold the strap as close to the foot as possible, but don't sacrifice keeping the elbows fully extended and the chest lifted.

Have your partner sit (or kneel) in front of you as you perform the leg position for Krounchasana. Support your torso by pressing your hands on the floor, just beside your hips. As you begin to lift the right leg off the floor, have your partner take the heel. Now straighten the bent knee again, as your partner begins to carefully lift your foot away from the floor. Start off slowly and move the leg higher by degrees. Continue pushing your hands against the floor to keep your torso lifted. Stop moving the leg when you feel a comfortable stretch, regardless of how high the foot may be. Wait a few breaths, then see if you can further lift the leg while keeping your torso upright.

• Adho Mukha Svanasana

Baddha Konasana
Dandasana

• Janu Sirsasana


• Paschimottanasana
  Siddhasana or Sukhasana


• Supta Padangusthasana


• Uttanasana
  Utthita Parsvottanasana


• Virasana

Krounchasana is usually performed as part of a longer seated forward bend sequence. In a typical Iyengar or Ashtanga sequence it's usually followed by poses like Marichyasana I (Marichi's Pose), Upavistha Konasana (Seated Wide Angle Pose), and Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend).

Advanced students can increase the stretch on the back of the raised leg by bringing the leg and torso together. From the position described in step 2 above, bend your elbows sharply out to the sides, lean the torso slightly forward, and draw the leg in. Be sure to keep the front of the torso relatively long; don't lean forward from the belly.