Dhanush = bow
Asana = pose
Dhanurasana is a part of hatha yoga that requires bending of your back but beware of its effects on injured discs and spinal cords. If you are a healthy human, get ready to bend your body like a bow and take aim to stretch your abdomen, ankle, thighs, thorax, throat, inguinal region, and more.
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Pro tip: Your body may try to hold your breath while attempting this pose. Resist that urge and focus on deep breathing to regulate your blood pressure and lower your heart rate.
Table of Contents
How To Do The Bowing Pose?
There are three variations to the bowing pose in hatha yoga:
Parsva Dhanurasana or the lateral side plank is performed by doing the bowing pose on your lateral sides. This yoga asana massages the abdominal muscles.
Urdhva Dhanurasana or the wheel pose is an upward-facing bow position. This stretches the abdominal core, hip flexors, thighs, wrists, and shoulders along with fully arching the spine.
Akarna Dhanurasana or the shooting bow pose resembles an archer ready to shoot. It immensely works on your leg flexibility and helps in its seamless rotation.
Prerequisites
The bowing pose yields the maximum benefits when done in an ideal physical state at a specific time. Confusing? This is what we mean:
You must not perform this asana within 4 to 5 hours of having a meal.
Attempt this yoga in the morning before you have your meal. In case you missed the morning routine, do it in the evening.
Make sure your body is warm enough with the following preparatory poses:
Locust posture (Shalabhasana)
15 Steps of a Complete Dhanurasana
Lie down on the flat ground on your belly.
Keep your legs hip distance apart.
Place your palms beside your lower ribs on the floor.
Extend your feet and press down the toes to activate your quadriceps.
Lift your head and chest while supporting yourself with your palms on the ground.
Roll your shoulders back.
Bend your knees.
Reach back with both your hands and clasp your ankles from the outside.
Press your thighs into the floor.
Point your upturned toes towards the ceiling to energize your legs.
Begin to lift your inner thighs and relax your glutes.
Lift your gaze slightly upwards so that the curve of your back is in continuation with your neck.
Balance on your navel.
Hold the pose for at least 15 seconds or 5 to 10 breaths.
To ease out of this asana, lower your thighs, release your grip, and lower your legs.
You may attempt the following asanas to follow up the bowing pose so that your posture doesn’t cause discomfort in your muscles:
Camel pose (Ustrasana)
Bow Pose Benefits
Yoga poses are basically skillful exercises that render mental and physical support. The bowing pose strengthens the entire body from the shoulders to the thighs with a focus on spinal health. Here are some of the highlighted benefits of the bowing pose:
- Effects on The Spine
When you lift your legs and arms while lying in your stomach, you are helping your spine stretch along with the lumbar spine, thoracic, and cervical region. The pose can even help in adjusting the vertebral bones and encourage elasticity. People with a slipped disc or spinal injury must refrain from attempting this pose. Consult a doctor if you have a backache and want to do this asana.
- Effects on Diabetes
The bowing pose not only increases spinal flexibility and strength but also controls your blood sugar levels. 3 to 7 mins of Dhanurasana every day can increase insulin sensitivity and secretion. This in turn reduces waist fat and body mass index. We mentioned earlier that Dhanurasana stimulates the abdominal organs (like the pancreas and liver) which means that it helps in regulating the symptoms of diabetes along with conventional medications.
A quick rundown of the innumerous benefits of Dhanurasana:
Stimulates and energizes the adrenal glands that help you fight fatigue
Increases the flow of blood into your digestive system
Counteracts the effects of sitting for a long time (such as kyphosis and slouching) thereby improving posture
Relieves back pain
Stretches your quadriceps, hip flexors, shoulders, chest, and abdomen
Strengthens your glutes, back of your thighs, and back muscles
Relieves constipation, menstrual cramps, and anxiety
Stimulates abdominal organs
The Bottom Line: Is Bow Pose Yoga Good for Beginners?
Beginners may find it difficult to perform certain lifts required in a perfect bowing pose. Here are some tips they could follow:
If you are attempting the bowing pose for the first time, you may not be able to lift your thighs above the floor. Keep some rolled-up or folded blankets under your thighs to help you.
Your knees should be a hip distance apart. Try to prevent them from flaying.
You may hold your breath unconsciously while doing this pose which actually restricts airflow. Try to breathe steadily and slowly.
If you experience any pain, pinching, or compression in your lower back, slowly come out of the pose.