Yoga Postures ( Ustrasana ) - Yoga Benefits of Camel Pose

Yoga Postures ( Ustrasana ) - Yoga Benefits of Camel Pose 

Ustra means Camel. Asana means yoga pose or posture.

Instructions:

1. Come up onto your knees. Take padding under your knees if they are sensitive.

2. Draw your hands up the side of your body as you start to open your chest.

3. Reach your hands back one at a time to grasp your heels.

4. Bring your hips forward so that they are over your knees.

5. Let your head come back, opening your throat.

Benefits:
Camel pose opens the heart, and by opening the whole front of the body, helps respiration. The chest, the hips, thighs, biceps, ankles and shoulders experience work in the opening. By doing this posture, you will strengthen your back and shoulder muscles. The throat stretches and the flexion of the neck improves. It is great for those who sit at desks and computers helping relieve pain and prevent pain in areas of the neck and lower back. Posture improves because muscles of the spine lengthen and strengthen. Backbends are good for relieving depression and are uplifting. The Camel pose cultivates patience and joy. Rejuvenated blood flows to the kidneys. Ustrasana helps in digestion and elimination.  Some consider the pose very helpful for diabetes, dyspepsia. Dharana is a Sanskrit word meaning focus of mind, and dharana is increased with practice of ustrasana. Other health problems that may be ameliorated are respiratory ailments, mild backache, fatigue, anxiety, and menstrual discomfort. Through this pose we discover large reserves of energy and, like the desert animal for which it is named, we can replenish when resources are low.

The most important cautions in this pose are to watch your neck and your lower back. Keeping them extended and long with help avoid injury in this pose. Don’t bring your head too far back unless your neck is safely extended and it feels comfortable. With the lower back, bring that tailbone under and through toward the pubic bone which is done by shifting your pelvis and the lower back long. Listen to your body and notice try not to strain. Your breath helps you notice if your energy flows freely and whether you are imposing a posture on the body for which it isn’t ready. Keep the pose shorter and gentler as needed. Those with high or low blood pressure, a migraine headache, insomnia, or any serious lower back pain or neck injury should not do this pose.