The Camel ? (Ushtrasana)
Ushtrasana in a Sanskrit language means a camel, hence the name. The Camel is an advanced and powerful yoga posture, which should be only practiced by intermediate and advanced students in a full version. It opens up the whole front of the body and stimulates the respiratory, circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems.
The Camel is a posture that should be done after the body is warmed up sufficiently as it provides a quite deep backbend. The posture is a transition between the simpler prone backbend, the Bow pose (Dhanuranasa) and the more challenging backbend, the Wheel (Chakrasana).
After completing the Camel posture, always release the lower back by going into the counter pose, the Child?s pose (Shashankasana) and stay there for a while.
The Camel is very beneficial for the digestive and reproductive systems. It stretches the stomach and intestines. This difficult backward bend loosens up the vertebrae and stimulates the spinal nerves, relieving rounded shoulders.
It stretches the spine, back muscles, shoulders and arms. It improves flexibility of the spine and improves posture. It opens the throat as it strengthens the neck muscles and increases blood flow to the brain.
It is a good workout for the ankles, thighs and groins, and it helps to tone the calf, neck and abdominal muscles.
The Camel has many benefits for the practitioner; however, in some health conditions this posture should not be practiced.
Three important reasons (out of many) not to do yoga posture ? Camel:
1) Anyone with recent or chronic knee or neck injury should not do this posture.
2) If you are suffering from lumbago (mild to severe pain or discomfort in the area of the lower back. The pain can be acute or chronic if it has lasted more than three months), avoid this yoga posture.
3) In case of hernia do not attempt this posture.
Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this pose for you. The reader of this article should exercise all precautions before deciding to attempt this posture and the responsibility lies solely with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.
