Rooster Pose - Kukkutasana
Contents
Rooster Pose or Kukkutasana is one of the advanced yoga postures and is also known as Cockerel Pose. The word Kukkutasana comes from Sanskrit, where ‘Kukkut’ means cock or rooster and ‘Asana’ means pose. Kukkutasana is commonly found in yoga sequences such as Ashtanga Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Core Yoga, or Hip Opening Yoga Sequences.
It is a great posture to add to your home workouts. While considered an advanced yoga posture, mastering Kukkutasana requires some amount of time and practice making it a great asana to try in yoga for beginners.
Pose Detail
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Body Position: Arm & Leg Support, Seated Yoga Poses
- By Type: Arm Balance Yoga Poses, Balancing Yoga Poses, Hip Opening Yoga Poses
- By Benefit: Yoga Poses For Digestion, Yoga Poses For Periods
Step-by-Step Instructions
Benefits and Contraindications
Improves balance
Strengthens the arms, shoulders, elbows and wrists
Reduces menstrual discomfort
Improves digestion
Strengthens the abdominal muscles
Enlarged spleen
Weak or injured wrists
Back pain or hernia
Gastric ulcers
High blood pressure
Heart or lung problems
Modifications and Props for Beginners
- If you’re afraid of losing balance while off the ground, place a bolster in front of you to hold you in such condition. Otherwise, you might prone to injury in Kukkutasana.
- Place thin folded blankets on your thighs in case you haven’t a good grip of legs in a cross-legged pose like padmasana.
Useful Tips
- During the practice, awareness should be maintained on the breath or on maintaining the balance of the body.
- Turn your gaze to a certain focal point at a distance and concentrate on it. This should help you maintain balance.
- Ensure that your back is erect. Do not slouch while you are in this asana.
- If you find it hard to slip your arms into the gap between your folded legs, you could oil your limbs to make it easier.
- Do not hold the pose for longer times as it can strain the muscles. Understand your body’s limits and respect that.
- Do not add this pose in yoga for beginners as it can lead to injury. In case you have never done it before, always perform it under an expert’s supervision.
- Do not eat heavy meals before the Kukkutasana yoga pose.
Frequently Asked Questions
To prepare for Cockerel Pose, it is helpful to practice other arm balances such as Crow Pose and Side Crow Pose. Strengthening exercises for the arms, wrists, and core muscles can also be beneficial. All types of hip openers will help you to get into a Lotus Pose.
Common mistakes in Cockerel Pose include not engaging the core muscles enough, collapsing in the shoulders, and not hooking the ankles securely on the upper arms.
As with any yoga pose, it is important to listen to your body and not push beyond your limits. Start with holding Cockerel Pose for a few breaths and gradually work up to longer holds as your strength and balance improve.
Kukkutasana is a strenuous asana and is generally not recommended for those who suffer from heart ailments. If you are having a heart condition, consult your doctor before you start practising this asana.
Practising Kukkutasana regularly is said to dissolve fat in the abdominal region. Thus, it may be beneficial to reduce belly fat and achieve a flat stomach.
Kukkutasana helps improve the blood flow to the muscles that get stretched while performing the asana, which may in turn help in providing more nourishment to those areas.

The yoga blanket is an accessory every yogi needs. Whether you’re more experienced or just...

The art of yoga is a special one and those who enjoy practicing on their...

Leggings are, without a doubt, the best article of clothing for practicing yoga. Ideally, they...

Do yourself a favor and ignore the yoga snobs – using a cork yoga block...
Variations
- Pendant Pose
- Scale Pose
- Lotus Pose
- Crow Pose
- Upward Rooster Pose
- Side Rooster Pose
- Womb Embryo Pose
Top Preparatory Poses
- Surya Namaskar
- Mountain Pose
- Easy Pose
- Lotus Pose
- Crow Pose
- Pendant Pose
Top Follow-Up Poses
- Upward Rooster Pose
- Hidden Lotus Pose
- Downward Facing Dog Pose
- Corpse Pose