Likarasana: "Li" Pose

Gouri Shankar Mukerji, Likarasana

"Li" was a letter in the Bengali alphabet that was removed around the turn of the 20th century. The letter is the same as the modern Bengali number 9, pictured above right.

"Likar" means "the letter Li," referring to the shape of the actual letter itself. You may be familiar with the posture Omkarasana, which is "Om Pose," but refers to the letter or symbol for Om.

So Likarasana is "Li Pose" or "Posture of the Letter Li." Above left is a picture of Gouri Shankar Mukerji executing the posture. You can clearly see the resemblance to the Bengali letter.

(Note: this is a very advanced posture and should not be attempted without the guidance of a qualified teacher.)