Hanumanasana

Hanumanasana (Sanskrit: हनुमानासन) or Monkey Pose[1] is a seated asana in modern yoga as exercise.

The name comes from the Sanskrit words Hanuman (a divine entity in Hinduism who resembles a monkey) and asana (posture).

[2] The pose commemorates the giant leap made by Hanuman to reach Lanka from the mainland of India.

The pose is approached from a kneeling position, stretching one leg forward and the other straight back while supporting the body with the hands until the full pose is mastered.

Iyengar states that to reach the full pose, one must make "several attempts each day" and be prepared to work at it for "a long time".