Hanumanasana, or monkey pose, is a full front split. Monkey pose takes practice, and possibly some support, to find steadiness and ease in this pose.Yoga|PracticeTheMythologyBehindHanumanasanaZoNewell5min.Hanuman,the vanara (monkey)superhero,issaidtobethesonofthewind,Vayu,andavanarawoman,Anjana.Thisunusualgenealogygiveshimaspecialkinshipwithboththeworldofthespiritandthematerialworld.ThroughoutSouthAsianculturehepersonifiesthequalitiesofphysicalstrength,bravery,andspiritualdevotion.HanumanandthevanarapeopleplayavitalroleintheepicRamayanaasthemeansofreunitingQueenSitawithherbelovedRama.Assonofthewind,Hanumanwasknownforhismightyleaps.TwoofhismostfamousleapingexploitsareassociatedwiththebattleofLanka.Inthefirst,Hanumanleaptthedistanceofonehundred yojanas (oneyojanaistraditionallydefinedasthelongestdistancetraveledbysoundofacallfromatallplace),shoretoshore,fromIndiatoLanka,tocomfortthecaptiveSita.Withaforcethatmadethesandflyandthewavesrunbackward,hestretchedhismightylegs.Assonofthewind,Hanumanwasknownforhismightyleaps.TwoofhismostfamousleapingexploitsareassociatedwiththebattleofLanka.Thepowerofhisbacklegpropelledhimskyward,whilehisfrontlegre-e-e-achedtotouchLanka'sshore.Handsclaspedasinprayer,heheldRama’sringtohisheart.WhenhefoundSitasittingsadlyunderatree guardedbydemonesssentries,hestealthilydeliveredtheringandthenewsthatRamawasonhisway.  Later,Rama’sbrotherLakshmanfellinbattle,mortallyinjured.TheherbtorestorehimgrewfaroffintheHimalayas.“Go,Hanuman!”saidRama,“weneedanotheroneofthoseleapsofyours.Theherbgrowsonthe…”ButHanumanwasgone.BeforeRamacouldfinishhissentence,thevanara-superherostoodonthemountain,surroundedbyherbsandplants.Oh,whichonewasit?WheredidRamatellhimtolook?Herushedfromplanttoplant,butsoonrealized:“Idon’tknow!I’mamonkey,notadoctor!Oh,I’lljusttakethewholethingandlettheexpertssortitout.”Andhepickedupthemountainbytheroots,andholdingitcarefullyoverhisheadsohedidn'tspillanything,hemadeaflyingleapbacktothebattlefieldwherephysiciansstoodready.“Thankyou!”theysaidto