Balance Your Fallen Angel: A Pose Breakdown

Every time I practice Fallen Angel (in Sanskrit, Devaduuta Panna Asana), someone inevitably says, “That looks so pretty!” And honestly? I totally agree.

This asana literally represents an angel fallen from the sky, and because it looks so elegant, it’s a reminder that grace isn’t just for the good times, it’s yours no matter what. Even when life feels upside down (sometimes literally) or you feel you hit rock bottom, your inner light stays intact. Nobody and no circumstance should have the power to dim it.

When the Face-plant Is Right

Beyond its beautiful symbolism, Fallen Angel is just fun. Once you finally found a reason why you should practice arm balances but face-plants scare you, pick this pose! Seriously, this is the only pose where “if you’re face-planting, you’re doing it right”. Hallelujah!

It’s a great way to refine your Side Crow (Parsva Bakasana), letting you slow down the entry and really feel how your balance shifts. And if you’re still working up the courage to lift off, you can sneak into it by keeping your feet on the ground at first, letting them lift naturally as your cheek and temple kisses the mat.

The Challenges of Fallen Angel

This pose isn’t just a mental reminder, it’s a physical puzzle too!

First, you need a solid twist to get into the pose, but that’s the part that, with a good warm up, you can figure out.

The real challenge? Getting those legs to the ceiling. Most yogis instinctively shoot their feet out to the side instead of straight up because, let’s be honest, your brain has no clue where “up” is when you’re twisted and almost upside down.

And then come the stories:
I’m not flexible enough. I must not be strong enough.

Guess what? That’s not it at all! Getting those legs to the sky isn’t about extra strength or flexibility, but it’s about understanding the mechanics of the pose.

The trick to fix the pose

If you find yourself facing the same challenge, try this:

• Before extending your legs, lower the shoulder that’s closer to the mat just a little more: yes, that sexy shoulder dip.
• “Crunch” your side body (the one facing the ceiling), shortening the distance between your bottom rib and outer hip.
• Rotate your feet toward the ceiling so that, instead of resting the outer thigh on your tricep, you place the top of your thigh there instead.

Now extend one leg up, and voilà, your angel wings are officially spread!

And if you’re reading this thinking, “but my head is on the ground, this isn’t an arm balance!”
Press hard into your hands and keep pointing your feet up. That little lift? There’s your flight!

Ready to Spread Your Wings?

Whether you’re attempting Fallen Angel for the first time or finessing your alignment, get ready to nail all your arm balances and inversions with us! Every pose has its own “recipe, a blend of key ingredients: the steps to enter the pose, the mechanics and tips on how to hold the balance and, more than anything, a strategic warm-up to prepare the body and set you up for success!

Join Yogi Flight School, to discover how magic happens!