Just last week, I was talking about how side plank is busting out all over. Which led me to think about poses that have seemed a bit neglected lately. Poses like sleeping vishnu; I can't remember the last time this came up in class. In some ways, the leg position in similar to an advanced side plank, but without the arm balance you are left to focus on keeping your body from tipping over while lying on your side. It's tougher than it looks and it never fails to crack me up when I start to wobble and finally fall over. Let's bring sleeping vishnu back, cause it's fun.
Sleeping Vishnu - Anantasana Is the Yoga Pose of the Week
By Ann Pizer, About.com GuideOctober 4, 2009
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I actually taught sleeping vishnu to my Beginner class this very morning! I love this posture, Beginners and Intermediates alike are always surprised how challenging it is. Sleeping Vishnu is great for improving focus, opening the hip and of course lengthening those muscles along the back of the leg. I always suggest that my students breathe into the back of the leg and pick a focal point on the floor to help them balance. Namaste!!
It can be very easy to leave behind modified or uncommonly used poses. I believe this is why it is so imperative that we, as teachers, maintain a very inclusive practice of many poses. My own practice includes close to a hundred poses and is about 4 hours long. I make sure that I work through these for the benefit, the familiarity, and to remember the components of the poses so I can pass them on to my students.
Good for you to revisit them.