Yoga Chikitsa · Primary · Finishing Sequence
Karnapidasana
Ear-pressure pose
What it is
Karnapidasana, ear-pressure pose, follows plough in the closing sequence.
What it looks like
From Halasana, you bend the knees and bring them down beside the ears, with the shins on the floor. The arms may stay clasped behind the back. It is held for several breaths.
Why it is practised
It is a compact, inward-turned shape that asks for a quiet breath. Each pose in this inverted group leads into the next without coming down, so the sequence flows as one unit. Karnapidasana is the most compact point of that flow, and many students find the closed-in shape encourages a quiet, inward attention.
What to pay attention to
Lower the knees only as far as is comfortable. The breath can feel restricted in this shape — keep it slow. Come out if the neck feels strained.
Who it suits
Students comfortable in plough.
Next in the sequence: Urdhva Padmasana.
The knees drop beside the ears; the breath stays quiet in the close.
Practise this Primary pose in a Mysore-style room, or in a private session in Dubai or online.
See session formats, upcoming dates and the shala, or book a place with Ashtanga Yoga Dubai.