page_title: Vrischikasana
section_title: Etymology and origins
hierarchical_section_title: Vrischikasana / Etymology and origins
caption_attribution_description: "Scorpion Hand Balance Pose". In terms of hatha yoga, this is not Scorpion (Vrischikasana) but Ganda Bherundasana.
context_page_description: Vrischikasana or Scorpion pose is an inverted asana in modern yoga as exercise that combines a forearm balance and backbend. Light on Yoga treats both forearm and hand balance forms as variants of this pose. It is a part of the headstand cycle in some yoga traditions.
  A similar pose, Pincha Mayurasana or Feathered Peacock pose, is a forearm balance with the body raised, giving some resemblance to a peacock's tail.
context_section_description: The name of this pose is from Sanskrit वृश्चिक vrschika, "scorpion", and आसन āsana, "posture" or "seat". Pincha (Sanskrit पिञ्च Piñcha) means feathered.
  The pose is not found in medieval hatha yoga texts, but is described in 20th century manuals such as Light on Yoga.
caption: A similar pose, Ganda Bherundasana, which uses hand rather than forearm balance
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