The Sanskrit word garuda means eagle.

Position of Readiness

Stand with feet together on the floor. Keep hands at your sides, eyes looking forward. Breathe normally. Steps Draw the left foot upward bending the knee and wrap the left foot around your right leg as you rest the back of your left thigh on the right thigh. Cross your arms at the elbows, left over right. Join the palms of your hands together keeping the fingers pointed upward. Inhale and hold the posture for the duration of the inhaled breath. Exhale and return to the tada-asana. Repeat the posture on the opposite side, wrapping the right leg over the left and the right arm over left.

Benefits

The Garuda-asana strengthens the legs, knees and ankles, tones muscles of the leg and relieves cramps of the legs.

Daily Practice

You can also try holding the posture for as long as you can hold the inhaled breath. Repeat 2 or 3 times on each leg.