Anjani = Mother of the Hindu God, Hanuman

Anjaneyasana helps strengthen the legs and core while stretching the hips, groin, and chest.

Steps

1. Begin in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-facing dog).
2. Exhale, step your right foot between your hands, ensuring that your knee is directly above your ankle and your thigh is parallel to the floor. Lower the left knee and rest the lower leg on the floor with toes pointing back.
3. Inhale, raise your arms, joining the palms above the head. Exhale, start leaning backward, raising the chin as high as possible. Hold this pose for 10-15 counts.
4. Inhale, bring the body to the center. Exhale, lower your hands to the sides of the legs and step back to Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog).
5. Exhale, step your left foot forward between your hands, ensuring that your knee is directly above your ankle and your thigh is parallel to the floor. Lower the right knee and rest the lower leg on the floor with toes pointing back.
6. Inhale, raise your arms, joining the palms above the head. Exhale, start leaning backward, raising the chin as high as possible. Hold this pose for 10-15 counts.
7. Inhale and bring the body to the center. Exhale, lower your hands to the sides of your legs, and step back to Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward-facing dog).
8. Lower your legs to Bharmansana and then return to Vajrasana to relax.
9. Repeat the process one more time if needed.

Tips

Blanket: To alleviate soreness, place a folded blanket underneath the back knee rather than directly resting it on the floor.

Yoga block: This prop is helpful for individuals with shoulder or neck issues. If they cannot raise their arms and bend back, they can keep their hands on the blocks on either side of the leg.

 

Benefits of Anjaneyasana (Crescent Low Lunge Pose)

1. It helps to improve the strength and flexibility in your hips, legs, shoulders, arms, abdomen, back, and knees.
2. Releases tension in your hips.
3. Stretches your hamstrings, quads, and groin.
4. Strengthens your knees.
5. If you suffer from sciatica pain, this pose suits you as it stretches and soothes the hamstrings and leg muscles.
6. It opens the Heart Chakra and stimulates the Anahata energy.
7. Has therapeutic healing effects on back pain, digestion, and reproduction aliments. 
8. It helps build mental focus.