What Is Camel Pose In Yoga And Its Benefits

Sanskrit name for Camel Pose is Ustrasana. This yoga pose falls under Vajrasana or Diamond Pose series.
This yoga pose is recommended for people suffering from:

• Spondylitis of  cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine
• Respiratory disorders i.e. asthma and bronchitis
• Thyroid and parathyroid disorder
• Diabetes
• Stiffness of shoulder and hip joints
• Obesity of thighs
• Voice disorder
• Genito-urinary disorder of kidney, urinary bladder, ovaries, testes and prostate
• Gastro-intestinal disorders viz. constipation, colitis, dyspepsia, liver and gall bladder problem.

The focus of the Camel Pose is on ankles, thighs, groins, belly, chest, spine, shoulders and neck. In this pose, you first kneel with thighs and trunk erect and hands on hips.

• Exhale and arch backwards.
• Arch further by sliding hands down on back of the thighs.
• Exhale and release hands one at a time to hold the heels.
• Press heels with hands to push spine towards thighs which are kept erect.
• Maintain the pose and breathe normally.

Return to original position by releasing the hands and returning slowly to the upright kneeling position. Get back to the original position. Those who have high blood pressure, severe back injury, neck injury, heart ailment or have had abdominal surgery should not practice this Yoga pose.

The beginners may find it difficult to touch their feet with the hands and may find it strenuous for their back and neck. They can try by raising their heels and turning the toes under.

Since it is a difficult pose, you can use a wall by placing your toes close to the wall.  While bending backward, you put the crown of your head against the wall and brace the shoulders deeper into your back.  Put your hands either on the pelvis or you can press your palms against the wall.

Since the Camel Pose is a difficult pose,  before moving on to this posture, one should start with the preparatory poses of The Cobra Pose, The Bow Pose, The Locust Pose, The Bridge pose, The Hero’s Pose in Lying position, The Dog facing Upward Pose and the Hero’s Pose.

The Camel pose loosens up the vertebrae, makes the spine flexible by improving the tone of the muscles and nerves attached to the spine, stimulates the endocrine glands, strengthens the shoulder and hip joints and reduces fat around thighs. It stretches the ankles, thighs, groins, abdomen, chest and the throat. This yoga pose broadens the chest and expands the lungs, tones the larynx, heart and the neck muscles.  It also tones the abdominal and pelvic organs. It is beneficial for the digestive and reproductive systems. It cures constipation. It relieves backache and lumbago. You also improve your posture with Camel Pose.