Ustrasana: Camel Pose

Ustrasana: Camel Pose

Ustrasana (oosh-TRAHS-anna), offers a long list of benefits for both the physical and subtle bodies. Thanks to its many different variations and modifications, there are plenty of ways for individuals of all levels to appreciate the chest-opening and chakra-opening effects of camel pose.

Philosophy + Origin

Camel pose is named because the shape resembles the hump on a camel’s back, however there are other ways to consider the name when approaching the posture. Camels are known for their slow, steady, almost methodical way of moving. Rather than trying to race into the posture, moving slowly and methodically will help you find its benefits safely. Camels use their humps as food reserves, like well-packed bags ready to be used when needed. This type of physical preparation, a part of the camel’s natural adaptation for survival, is essential for this pose as well. Take your time to gather and practice the skills and knowledge necessary to take a back-bending journey to ensure that you come in and out of the posture with ease and poise.

topdeco

ADJUSTMENTS/MODIFICATIONS:

  • Keep your toes tucked rather than placing the tops of your feet flat on the floor.
  • Pace a folded blanket under your knees for extra padding.
  • Keep your hands on your lower back and pelvis rather than reaching back for your heels to work on proper alignment as you explore camel pose.
  • Press your thighs and hips against a wall to keep the lower body in proper alignment.
  • Place a block between your thighs and squeeze thighs into the block and behind you. This is internal rotation of the inner thighs.

STEP-BY-STEP:

  1. Begin kneeling at the top of your mat with knees right under your inner hip points. Keep your shins parallel to each other.
  2. Place your hands on your lower back/sacrum with your fingers pointing down. Guide your tailbone down. Keep pressing your thighs back as you use an inhale to start lifting your heart up. Find extension through your heart by bringing the shoulder blades down and into your back ribs.
  3. Begin to lean back without dropping your head. Keep your chin in close to your sternum. With your hands still on your sacrum, find more depth by continuing to draw your shoulders together, focusing on length and extension of the pose rather than depth.
  4. Once you’ve extended as far as you can, option to reach back with one hand at a time to find your feet. Your hands will rest on your heels if your toes are tucked. Otherwise, they will rest on the soles of your feet.
  5. Draw your front ribs in to keep your belly soft and your spine long. Use your hands against your feet to lift more through your heart and sternum with each inhale. At this point, you can choose to drop your head back or to keep your head supported with the neck in a more neutral position.
  6. Hold for up to 60 seconds. To release the pose, return your hands to your pelvis and use an inhalation to come up, pushing the hip points down for support. Lead with your heart, head coming up last. Sit your hips on your heels for a few breaths to feel the residue of the pose.

bottomdeco

PREPARATORY POSES:

FOLLOW-UP POSES:

SANSKRIT:

  • Ustra = camel
  • Asana = pose

PHYSICAL BENEFITS:

  • Stretches the neck, chest, abdomen, thighs, hip flexors, groins, and ankles.
  • Strengthens the back, glutes, and triceps.
  • Improves overall posture.

ENERGETIC BENEFITS:

  • Stimulates energetic centers in the body, primarily the chakras located in the navel, heart, and throat.

MANTRA:

“Yam”

The seed mantra for the heart is “yam.” Reciting this simple yet powerful mantra will encourage your heart to open and balance with your other energy centers.

MUDRA: Hridaya

To practice this heart chakra mudra, bring your index fingers to the base of your thumbs. Press the tips of your middle fingers and ring fingers to the tips of your thumb. The pinky fingers extend straight up. Allow your hands to rest in your lap or on your knees with the palms of your hands facing up.

become a member


Utkatasana: Chair Pose

Utkatasana: Chair Pose

ADJUSTMENTS    |     BENEFITS    |     SEQUENCING    |     SANSKRIT    |     STEPS

A challenging pose with hidden benefits, utkatasana (OOT-kah-TAHS-anna) works your body inside and out. Aside from strengthening your legs, this powerful pose also improves the health of your diaphragm and stimulates your heart. Practicing regularly will not only increase your physical endurance, it also encourages your chest and arms to open, creating more space in your body energetically.

Philosophy + Origin

While sitting in a chair is a common act for most of us today, chairs were once, and in some locations still are, considered a luxury. A throne in particular is a seat of power, one assumed by leaders around the world. The pose utkatasana, translated to mean powerful pose, invites individuals to sit on their throne, their seat of power. Embracing the challenge of the pose, and recognizing the strength that is generated when assumed thoughtfully and in proper alignment (physically and spiritually), you can begin to refine all aspects of your life, allowing yourself to step into roles of leadership and responsibility with clarity and confidence.

Read Article

More In Focus

Our unique blend of yoga, meditation, personal transformation, and alternative healing content is designed for those seeking to not just enhance their physical, spiritual, and intellectual capabilities, but to fuse them in the knowledge that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.


Use the same account and membership for TV, desktop, and all mobile devices. Plus you can download videos to your device to watch offline later.

Desktop, laptop, tablet, phone devices with Gaia content on screens

Discover what Gaia has to offer.

The video streaming platform exploring Focus, and Yoga Poses

Testing message will be here

Discover what Gaia has to offer.

Testing message will be here