Camatkarasana: Wild Thing Pose

Camatkarasana: Wild Thing Pose

Camatkarasana (kam-at-ka-RAS-uh-nah) is a joyful pose to open the chest and shoulders while improving balance.

Philosophy + Origin

One translations of camatkarasana is “the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart.” This poetic image reflects the joy many experience when practicing this pose. Because of its ability to stimulate anahata (heart chakra), practicing this pose is said to bring feelings of love, peace, acceptance, and confidence. By leading with our hearts, we live fearlessly and without restraint.

ADJUSTMENTS/MODIFICATIONS:

  • Practice downward facing dog with one leg lifted and the knee bent to open the hip. This can help the body get familiar with the shift in weight in preparation for the eventual flip to wild thing.
  • Hand gestures: place your hand over your heart or extend your arm over your head with your hand in gyan mudra.
  • Option to enter wild thing from side plank rather than down dog: bring your top leg behind you and then push into your bottom hand and arch the back. Once you’ve found the basic shape, the actions described below will be the same whether you enter from down dog or side plank.

STEP-BY-STEP:

  1. Begin in downward facing dog. Lift your right leg up and bend your knee, working toward stacking right hip over your left. Keep your core engaged.
  2. Shift your weight into your left hand.
  3. Roll to the pinky toe side of your grounded (left) leg.
  4. At the same time:
    1. Gently lower your right foot toward the ground behind you.
    2. Slowly lift your right hand off the ground and bring it to your heart center (middle of the chest).
  5. When the ball mound of your right foot connects to the ground, press down to lift your hips and chest toward the ceiling. The right knee stays bent while the left leg is extended.
  6. Press down into the knuckles of your grounded hand and draw your shoulder blades toward each other and away from your ears.
  7. Option to take your gaze in the opposite direction of your extended leg.
  8. To release, option to lower hips to the ground or unwind back to downward facing dog. Pause for a few breaths then repeat on the other side.

PREPARATORY POSES:

SEQUENTIAL POSES:

COUNTER POSES:

SANSKRIT:

  • Camatkara = surprise, miracle
  • Asana = pose

PHYSICAL BENEFITS:

  • Stretches chest, shoulders and throat.
  • Opens the hips and hip flexors.
  • Stretches and strengthens the back.

ENERGETIC BENEFITS:

  • Energizes body and mind.
  • Opens and stimulates the heart center (anahata).
  • Cultivates feelings of universal love and acceptance.


Prasarita Padottanasana: Standing Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose

Prasarita Padottanasana: Standing Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose

ADJUSTMENTS    |     BENEFITS    |     SEQUENCING    |     SANSKRIT    |     STEPS

Prasarita padottanasana (pra-sa-REE-tah pah-doh-tahn-AHS-an-uh) is a big stretch for the hamstrings and inner leg line. With many variations available, this pose is accessible for most practitioners. This is also a great pose in lieu of headstand.

Philosophy + Origin

Prasarita padottanasana has found its way into almost every style of yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar taught several variations of this posture, labeling them as A, B, C, and D. The most commonly practiced variation is prasarita padottanasana A. Prasarita padottanasana B is when the hands are on the hips and the head is lifted off the ground, not resting on the mat. Prasarita padottanasana C is the variation where the hands are interlaced and stretched behind the back and over the head as you fold. In the final variation taught by Iyengar, prasarita padottanasana D asks the student to grasp the big toe on each foot.

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