Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (pigeon pose)

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (pigeon pose)

To do this pose:

Start in downward facing dog. Lift one leg up into a three legged dog, bend the knee, and bring it forward and place your knee on the floor next to the corresponding thumb (Example: Right knee to right thumb). For more of a stretch, bring your front leg more perpendicular to the rest of your body. For less of a stretch, bring your front foot closer to your pelvis. Let your hips sink down, keeping your back leg straight. You can keep your back toes tucked or untucked, whichever is more comfortable. You can also use any props you need like a bolster, block, or pillow underneath your hips, making sure to keep your hips square. You can keep your upper body upright or lean forward, resting on your elbows or all the way down onto your forehead. 

How this pose is especially beneficial for nurses: 

• It opens the hips. The hips hold a lot of anxiety, stress, and pain. Stretching them out in a pose like this can help release these feelings. After an emotionally stressful shift or when you’re feeling burnt out, sit in pigeon pose for 3-5 minutes and notice what feelings and thoughts come up. Notice them, FEEL them, and let them release into the earth.
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• It improves your posture by opening up the hips and low back. It helps strengthen muscles around these areas so you are less likely to experience things like low back pain and injuries. 
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• It strengthens your knee joints! A lot of nurses have knee issues after years of working on their feet. Keeping them strong and mobile can help prevent injuries in the low run.