Kraunchanishadana

(“curlew-sitting”) One of the sitting postures (asanas) described in commentaries to the Yoga Sutras. The Yoga
Sutras are attributed to the sage
Patanjali and give the earliest instruction of yoga. The Kraunchanishadana
posture begins in dandasana or “stickposture,” in which one sits with the
upper body erect, the arms straight with
the hands flat on the ground and pointing forward, and the legs outstretched.
From this posture one of the legs is folded
back to the outside, with the heel
pressed against the outer thigh. The
other leg is raised straight up and
pressed against the torso, with the
hands clasped at the bottom of the foot.