Pigeon pose

Hi, with pigeon pose, does this pose have any contraindications? What are some othe benefits apart from opening the hips? Does it have a specific meaning like in a meditative way? Also, I’m quite interested to know about full meanings of other postures as it helps with my meditation and focus. Where can I find this information? All info I find only gives relative info in regards to the structural technique but I like to learn in a deeper more spiritual way.
thankyou

Hi Jo,

If you are asking about Eka Pada Rajakapotasana where the front leg is bent with the heel at the front pelvis opposite (R to L) and the back leg extended toward the back of the mat the contraindications would be SI dysfunction (when the Sacroiliac joint is flaring or the surrounding musculature is in spasm), lumbar spine issue like bulging discs or herniations, pregnancy, hip replacement, and in some cases medial collateral ligament (knee) injuries.

There are certainly effects to and from asana. However asana as it now is available was basically codified by Iyengar and therefore it is but a 100 years old or so. In fact in the Sutras there is little to no mention of asana at all. Thus it is more likely to discover the “deeper more spiritual way” through Yama, Niyama, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyana. Then unearth ways to bring those things within the practice of asana.

If one wants to study the vayus, doshas, and energetics as it relates to asana I suspect it would be best to take a workshop or study with a master.