Heeey! It’s a new month, and that means it’s time for a new yoga pose. This one is a favorite of mine: camel. According to YogaOutlet.com, camel pose (ustrasana) can be emotionally moving and energizing.
Benefits of this pose:
- Stretches your neck, chest, abdomen, thighs, hip flexors, groin, and ankles
- Strengthens your back, gluteal muscles, and triceps
- Massages and stimulates your organs and chakras of the abdomen
Here’s how to do it:
- Start by kneeling upright with your knees hip-distance apart. Press your shins and the tops of your feet into the floor.
- Rest your hands on the lower part of your back, letting your head come back if it feels okay for your neck.
- You can stay there, or you can take the full expression of the pose by reaching back and grabbing a hold of your ankles or feet (you also have the option of doing one side at a time). Your palms should rest on your heels with your fingers pointing toward your toes and your thumbs holding the outside of each foot.
- Keep your thighs in line with the floor with your hips directly over your knees. Hold for 30-60 seconds.
- After releasing, immediately come into child’s pose so you don’t get lightheaded or dizzy.
Tips
- Don’t force yourself into the pose; practice a modified version until you can get into the pose safely. If it’s difficult for your hands to reach your feet, tuck your toes to elevate your heels.
- If it’s still difficult to reach your feet or ankles, place yoga blocks on the outside of each foot and put your hands on them.
- Create length in your vertebra; don’t collapse or crunch into the pose.
- Move into it slowly and move within a pain-free range.
- Don’t bring your head so far back that you strain your neck. Keep it extended and comfortable throughout the pose.
“If you don’t bend, you’ll break.” – Unknown