The Sanskrit word “Kukkuta” means “cock”. While doing this asana, the body assumes the shape of a cock. Therefore, the name Kukkuta asana.

Technique:

Sit on a blanket or carpet stretching your legs forward. Then do the Padmasan. Now push both hands through the gaps between thighs and calf-muscles of both legs. Then spread the fingers of the palms on the ground and press the palms.Then breathe in and hold the breath. Slowly raise the body locked in Padmasana with the help of the hands. Balance the entire
weight of the body on the hands. This is the final stage of this asana.Now breathe out slowly. Bring the body down. Release your hands and feet and relax comfortably in Savasana for sometime. It takes a little time to master this asana; therefore be patient. In the beginning doing it once is enough. Gradually, increase it up to 3 times.

Note:

Pushing the hands through the gaps between the thighs and calf-muscles is not easy. If forced, hairs can be pulled out resulting in sores on the skin. If a little oil is applied, the process of pushing in and releasing of hands would become easy.

Benefits:

The benefits of this asana are the same as those of Padmasan. It increases your appetite, dispels laziness and makes you feel fresh and light. It strengthens the chest, arms, shoulders, wrists and palms