Dhanurasana (Sanskrit:धनुरासन,romanized: Dhanurāsana,lit. 'Bow pose') is a back bendingasana inhatha yoga and modernyoga as exercise.

The name comes from the Sanskrit words धनुर (dhanura) meaning "bow",^[2][3] and आसन (āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat".^[4]

A similar pose named Nyubjasana, "the face-down asana", is described and illustrated in the 19th centurySritattvanidhi.^[5] The pose is illustrated inhalf-tone in the 1905Yogasopana Purvacatuska and named Dhanurāsana, quoting theGheranda Samhita's description.^[6]

It is unclear whether the asana is medieval, as although the name is used, the intended pose might be the sittingAkarna Dhanurasana rather than this backbend. The account of Dhanurasana in the 15th centuryHatha Yoga Pradipika is ambiguous about whether the pose is reclining or sitting, stating^[1]

Having held the big toes of both feet with both hands, one should pull [them] like a bow as far as the ears. This is called bow pose. (HYP 1.25)

The 17th centuryGheranda Samhita is similarly ambiguous, stating

Spreading the legs on the ground, straight like a stick, and catching hold of the feet with the hands, and making the body bent like a bow, is called by the Yogis the Dhanurasana or Bow-posture. (GhS 2.18)^[7]

Dhanurasana is used in the classical Indian dance formBharatanatyam.^[8]

From a prone position, the feet are grasped to lift the legs and chest to form the shape of a bow with the body, with the arms representing thebowstring.^[9][10][11]Balasana (Child) can be used as a counter pose.^[3]

Variations include:

• Parsva Dhanurasana, the same pose with the body rolled onto one side.^[12]
• Purna Dhanurasana, a more extremebackbend with the legs brought to the head^[13]

Counter asanas areHalasana (plough) andSarvangasana (shoulderstand).^[14]

• Akarna Dhanurasana, a sitting pose resembling an archer shooting an arrow
• Salabhasana, an easier reclining backbend
• Urdhva Dhanurasana, the upwards bow or wheel

Wikimedia Commons has media related toDhanurāsana.

• Iyengar, B. K. S. (1979) [1966].Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika. Thorsons.ISBN 978-1855381667.
• Mehta, Silva;Mehta, Mira; Mehta, Shyam (1990).Yoga: The Iyengar Way. Dorling Kindersley.ISBN 978-0863184208.
• Sjoman, Norman E. (1999) [1996].The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace (2nd ed.). Abhinav Publications.ISBN 81-7017-389-2.
• Vishnudevananda, Swami (1988) [1960].The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. Three Rivers Press.ISBN 0-517-88431-3.

• Reclining asanas
• Medieval Hatha Yoga asanas

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• Short description matches Wikidata
• Articles containing Sanskrit-language text
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