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What Is Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
In our busy lives, it’s important to find moments of calm and self-discovery for our overall well-being. Yoga is an ancient practice and has been used for thousands of years. Among the many yoga poses, there’s one called Camel Pose, or Ustrasana, which has some unique benefits. It doesn’t just make your body more flexible, but it also helps your mind and emotions in a big way. There are so many yoga schools in Rishikesh, where you, a practitioner, can do deep learning about camel pose and other yoga poses. In this article, we will explore Camel Pose, the benefits of Camel Pose, and how to do it.
Camel Pose in yoga, also called Ustrasana in the Sanskrit language, is a yoga pose where you bend your back and try to touch your heels with your hands while lifting your chest upwards. It’s named after the hump on a camel’s back because it looks a bit like that. When you’re new to yoga, this pose might seem hard, but if you practise it regularly and have a skilled yoga teacher to help, most people can learn to do it.
How to Perform Camel Pose?
- Start by kneeling on your yoga mat with your knees a bit apart.
- Make sure your thighs are straight up and down, and your feet are flat on the mat.
- Put your hands on your lower back with your fingers pointing down and your thumbs on a bony part at the base of your spine.
- Take a deep breath, engage your abs muscles, and gently push your hips forward.
- Start bending your back so your chest goes up towards the ceiling.
- Reach for your heels with your hands, one hand at a time, while keeping your back curved.
- Keep your neck in a normal position, or if it feels okay, let it drop back a bit.
- Hold this pose for about 20-30 seconds or as long as you’re comfortable.
Benefits of Camel Pose
- Spine Flexibility: Camel Pose enhances the flexibility of your spine, making it more supple and resilient.
- Stronger Back: Regular practice strengthens the muscles along your spine and in your lower back, which can alleviate back pain.
- Better Posture: It encourages an upright posture, helping to reduce slouching and improving overall body alignment.
- Improved Lung Capacity: The pose opens up your chest, allowing for deeper breaths and better lung function.
- Emotional Release: Practising Camel Pose can help release stored emotions in the chest, providing emotional relief and relaxation.
- Stress Reduction: This helps to overcome stress & anxiety.
- Enhanced Digestion: The compression on the abdomen can stimulate digestion and ease discomfort.
- Increased Energy: The pose can boost your energy levels and alleviate fatigue, making you feel more invigorated.
Tips for Safe Practice
- Camel Pose: This pose has many benefits; it’s important to do it safely to avoid getting hurt. Here are some tips to make sure you practise it safely:
- Warm-Up: Before doing Camel Pose, warm up your body. You can do some easy stretches and other yoga poses to get your muscles and spine ready.
- Use Props: If you are new to this pose or your body isn’t very flexible, you can use things like yoga blocks or a cushion to help you. You can even put a block between your heels to make it easier to reach your hands.
- Use Your Abs Muscles: When you do the pose, remember to use your abs muscles. This will protect your lower back and keep you steady.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels. If it hurts or feels uncomfortable, stop and come out of the pose slowly.
Also Read – Ustrasana: the Camel’s Strength for Physical and Spiritual Mastery
Conclusion
The Camel Pose is a strong yoga position that can bring big changes to your body and mind. It makes your spine more flexible, helps you stand up straighter, and can even make you feel better emotionally. It can boost your mood, make you feel more confident, and do other good things for you. To learn the Camel Pose and its variations, the 200 Hour YTTC in Rishikesh is the best option.
Incorporating this pose into your practice can lead to significant improvements in overall well-being. For those interested in deepening their yoga journey, consider enrolling in a yoga teacher training program. Rishikul Yogshala, a leading yoga school in Rishikesh, offers comprehensive courses like the 100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh, 200 Hour Yoga TTC In Rishikesh, 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh, and 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Rishikesh. These programmes are designed to help you master your practice and share the transformative power of yoga with others.
