Camel Pose - Ushtrasana

The Camel Pose or Ustrasana is a progression that builds on from the Bow Pose or Dhanurasana, which is a much simpler backbend.



It may be difficult for beginners but is like an intermediate pose and must be attempted before moving on to other backbends that are a lot more challenging. Successfully mastering this pose will open up a lot more avenues for you to explore, in the realm of yoga and its poses or asanas.

This is a graceful backbend that stretches and opens your entire body, particularly the frontal region. The neck, chest and quadriceps derive most of the benefit of this posture.



Not only does it develop these regions, but it also works on and strengthens your back, significantly improving posture. If executed perfectly it can act as a stimulant for the abdominal organs, relieve menstrual pain, fatigue and indigestion, and ease back aches and pains.

Technique:

1) Sit in Vajrasana i.e. squat on the floor, toes pointing backwards

2) Now, stand on your knees with arms at the sides

3) Spread knees about half a foot apart

4) Bend your body backwards and hold your ankles with both hands so that you end up looking at the ceiling

5) Push the abdomen forward as much as possible keeping the thighs vertical

6) Return to the starting position, slowly releasing the hands from the ankles, one at a time

7) Return to Vajrasana and relax breathing normally

8) As with all yoga, make sure to monitor and steady your breathing

9) Avoid this pose if you have any serious injury to your lower back or neck


Camel Pose is a progression from the simpler prone backbend like Dhanurasana (Bow Pose).

Step By Step Procedure For Attaining The Posture: Kneel on the floor with your knees at hip width and thighs perpendicular to the floor.



Keep your thighs pressed together. Move your hands to the back, just above the buttocks. Now lean back and slide your hands over your legs till they reach the ankles.

To begin with you might not find this easy to do, and if you feel a strain in the back, don't push yourself beyond that point.

Press your palms firmly against your soles (or heels), with the bases of the palms on the heels and the fingers pointing toward the toes. Turn your arms outwardly so the elbow creases face forward, without squeezing the shoulder blades together. You can keep your neck in a relatively neutral position, neither flexed nor extended, or drop your head back. But be careful not to strain your neck and harden your throat.

Stay in this pose anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute. To exit, bring your hands onto the front of your pelvis, at the hip points. Inhale and lift the head and torso up by pushing the hip points down, toward the floor. If your head is back, lead with your chest to come up, not by jutting the chin upwards. You may use a pad/mat/hard cushion/blanket under your knees and shins.

Beginners very often may not be able to touch their hands to their feet without straining their back or neck. First, try to turn your toes under and elevate your heels. If this doesn't work, the next thing to do is to rest each hand on a block. Position the blocks just outside each heel, and stand them at their highest height (usually about 9 inches). If you're still having difficulty, get a chair. Kneel for the pose with your back to the chair, with your calves and feet below the seat and the front edge of the seat touching your buttocks. Then lean back and bring your hands to the sides of the seat or high up on the front chair legs.  

Benefits:

• It is a good workout for the ankles, thighs and groins, abdomen, chest, and throat.

• Strengthens back muscles and improves posture.  Helps tone the back, calf, neck and abdominal muscles. It stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck.

Contraindications:

• High or low blood pressure
• Migraine
• Insomnia
• Serious low back or neck injury