Camel Pose / Ustrasana

Bump up your energy (and confidence!) by bending back into Camel Pose. 

Physical benefits: Camel Pose can help build confidence and empowerment. It improves your posture and counteracts the effects of prolonged sitting, slouching, and kyphosis (abnormal curvature of the spine). It may also help relieve back pain. Ustrasana (Sanskrit name) stretches your abdomen, chest, shoulders, the front of your hips (hip flexors), and the front of your thighs (quadriceps). It also strengthens your back muscles, the back of your thighs (hamstrings), and buttocks (glutes).

Spiritual benefits: This pose links directly to your heart chakra, Anahata. It is your energy center of love, and responsible for your sense of caring and compassion. Located behind the heart, Anahata opens for energy to flow freely through it in this pose. When your heart chakra is open, and energy flows freely, you operate in every action and thought from a place of love.

Step by step instructions on how to get into Camel Pose: Read This

Traditionally this pose is best practiced with a tucked chin, but I went for a variation with an additional SCM & Scalene stretch here, which is perfectly fine as long as the tongue is forward in the mouth.

As you stretch your spine, it’s pivotal to note the difference between muscular and emotional intensity—and to be sure you’re challenging your body in a way that feels safe and empowering.

Tip: lift and lengthen your torso before you gently arch into the pose.

What benefits have you experienced in Camel Pose?


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