Asana · Practise on your own
Pigeon
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (preparation)
Kapotasana preparation. One shin forward and the other leg long behind, opening the hip.
Awaiting subject reviewWritten from our source material and not yet checked by a teacher of this practice. Read it as reference, and learn the practice from someone who teaches it.
- Meaning
- eka = one, pada = foot or leg, raja = king, kapota = pigeon, asana = seat or posture
- Family
- Hip opener
- Level
- Intermediate
Take care
If the front knee hurts, bring the heel closer to the hip or choose the figure four stretch.
How it is done
- 1
Breathe freely
From downward dog, bring the right knee forward behind the right wrist, the shin angled across.
- 2
Breathe freely
Lengthen the left leg straight back, the hips level.
- 3
Breathe out
Stay upright, or fold forward over the front leg. Stay for several breaths, then change sides.
Holding it
Several breaths on each side.
Making it easier
Supported pigeon: a folded blanket under the front hip. Or practise the figure four stretch lying on the back.
What the tradition says it does
- Opens the outer hip and the front of the back hip
To prepare
Sources and tradition
- YOG Union App Content Map, 2 November 2026, p. 4