Here at alignyo – we love to share the work of amazing teachers. This week, meet Claudia Azula Altucher who tells us a little bit about the Marichasana C pose.  Over to you Claudia: 

Marichasana C is one of the challenging poses of the Primary Series of Ashtanga yoga.  It requires strength, determination, and clarity of mind to remain in the twists while maintaining equanimity of mind.  Sage Marichi, which means ‘ray of light,’ lends his name to this pose.  Marichi is the son of the creator, of the forces that give us life and he sees things intuitively. 

Marichasana C invites us to release waste materials from the digestive system.  The deep twist, when paired with intentional breathing, can aid in the process of elimination. Moreover, it serves as a powerful metaphor for life itself. The pose encourages us to let go of things that no longer serve us, whether they be old habits, unsupportive people, or unnecessary material possessions. By regularly practicing this pose, we are reminded to release what does not serve us and make space for new experiences and growth.  This pose invites you to release while maintaining a firm grounding.

As we engaged the bandhas (tighten the area of the perineum and uplift the sternum up sucking in the stomach) in such a difficult sited pose we also invite awareness to rise up.  We remain calm and become present with out body, and we learn to breathe through a challenging situation.  That comes very handy for life in general.

Some tips for the pose: Invite the sit bone of the bent leg to drop into the ground. Extend your leg and strongly push through your heel, flexing your foot.  Activate the straightened leg.  Push with the arm wrapping the knee and then lift up and twist.

What is your experience with Marichasana C? Do you practice it?

FIRST FIVE READERS TO ANSWER CLAUDIA’S QUESTION WILL RECEIVE A DIGITAL COPY OF HER BOOK: 21 Things To Know Before Starting an Ashtanga Yoga Practice

About the author:  Claudia Azula Altucher is a Student Teacher and Writer of Yoga. She practices Ashtanga and focuses on all 8 limbs through which her life has been transformed in a positive way.  She lives at http://ClaudiaYoga.com.