Anantasana

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title: "Anantasana" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["reclining-asanas", "core-strength-asanas", "asymmetric-asanas"] description: "Reclining posture in modern yoga" topic_path: "general/reclining-asanas" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anantasana" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Reclining posture in modern yoga ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Anantasana_wfs.jpg" caption="Anantasana"] ::

Anantasana (; IAST: ), Sleeping Vishnu Pose or Vishnu's Couch Pose, Eternal One's Pose, or Side-Reclining Leg Lift is an asana in modern yoga as exercise.

Etymology and origins

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/A_sculpture_of_sleeping_Vishnu_Hindu_deity_at_Museum_CSMVS_Mumbai.jpg" caption="the infinite serpent]]. From Huchchappaiyya Gudi Temple, Aihole, [[Bagalkot]], [[Karnataka]], 7th century."] ::

The name comes from the Sanskrit words anantā (अनन्त) meaning "without end" or "the infinite one", for the thousand-headed serpent Shesha upon which Vishnu rested at the bottom of the primordial ocean, and āsana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat".

A different reclining pose named Anantasana is described and illustrated in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi. The modern pose is described in the 1966 Light on Yoga.

Description

Anantasana is entered from a lying position. The head is supported with one hand, the upper arm on the ground on that side; the other hand and leg are stretched straight up, the fingers grasping the big toe of the raised foot. The supporting arm, body, and lower leg are in a straight line.

In culture

ON 26 December 2024, Chethan Kulkarni held Anantasana for a record duration of 30 minutes.

References

References

1. "Anantasana". [[Yoga Journal]].
2. (3 June 2008). "Side-Reclining Leg Lift". [[Yoga Journal]].
3. Iyengar, B. K. S.. (1977). "Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika". Schocken Books.
4. Sinha, S. C.. (1 June 1996). "Dictionary of Philosophy". Anmol Publications.
5. (1999). "The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace". Abhinav Publications.
6. (27 January 2025). "Longest duration to hold Anantasana yoga pose by a teen".

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