Pigeon Pose

Eka Pada Rājakapotāsana is comprised of "Eka" (one), "Pāda" (foot/leg), "Rāja" (king), "Kapota" (pigeon), and "Āsana" (posture/pose). It is a deep hip-opening pose in which one leg extends forward with a bent knee while the other extends back, evoking the grounded, chest-open stance of a king pigeon.

This pose dramatically increases flexibility in the spine, shoulders, and hips. It is particularly effective for stretching the hip flexors (such as the psoas and quadriceps), releasing deep tension held in the lower body. Opening the chest promotes deeper breathing and mental stability. In contemporary yoga practice, it is one of the most widely taught hip-opening postures across all styles.

One leg is brought forward with the knee bent and shin angled toward the floor (ideally parallel), while the other leg extends straight back with the top of the foot resting on the mat. The pelvis is guided toward the floor, kept as level and balanced as possible on both sides. Variations include sitting upright to open the chest, folding forward into a restorative expression, or taking a deeper backbend to bring the back foot toward the head. If there is strain on the hip or knee, adjust by placing a block or cushion under the front hip.