(ahsh-tah-vah-krahs-anna) asta = eight, vakra = bent, curved

Astavakrasana Eight-Angle Pose:

Stand in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), with your feet separated a bit wider than usual.
Exhale, bend forward to Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), press your hands to
the floor outside your feet. Then with your knees slightly bent, slip your right arm to
the inside and then behind your right leg, and finally press the hand on the floor just
outside your right foot. Work your right arm across the back of the right knee, until
the knee is high up on the back of your right shoulder.
Brace your shoulder against the knee and slide your left foot to the right. Cross the
left ankle in front of the right and hook the ankles. Lean slightly to the left, taking
more weight on your left arm, and begin to lift your feet a few inches off the floor.
With the right leg supported on the shoulder, exhale and bend your elbows. Lean
your torso forward and lower it toward parallel to the floor; at the same time,
straighten your knees and extend your legs out to the right, parallel to the floor (and
perpendicular to your torso). Squeeze your upper right arm between your thighs. Use
that pressure to help twist your torso to the left. Keep your elbows in close to the
torso. Look at the floor.
Hold for 30 seconds to a minute. Then straighten your arms slowly, lift your torso
back to upright, bend your knees, unhook your ankles, and return your feet to the
floor. Stand back and rest in Uttanasana for a few breaths. Then repeat the pose for
the same length of time to the left.