The Camel pose is a very popular yoga pose. It is named for the body’s resemblance to a camel when it is in the pose.
Most yoga poses also have a Sanskrit name. The Camel pose is also known as Ustrasana. The Sanskrit word for camel is ustra and an asana is a pose.
The Camel pose is very beneficial to many people. One of its most popular benefits is the ability of the Camel pose to stretch your core. The Camel pose stretches the hip muscles, the abdomen, the torso, and even your throat.
Women who suffer from menstrual cramps will find relief from the Camel pose as the core of their body and their abdomen is stretched. It will also help people with respiratory symptoms breathe easier. One other benefit of the Camel pose is that it will give your legs and back more strength by building up and toning muscles in these areas.
To open the Camel pose you should be on your yoga mat in the basic Hero pose. Inhale and rise up from the Hero pose. Keep your back erect and your legs about two feet apart.
Press your shins and feet to the floor. Put the inside of your hands on your tailbone, at the top of your buttocks. Your fingers should be pointed to the floor. You can use your hands to slowly push your pelvis forward.
Stay in this position and inhale. As you exhale begin to bend backward. Your hands can crawl down the backs of your buttocks and legs toward your feet. Your chin needs to be pointed to the ceiling and you will want to keep your core, your torso, lengthened.
Bend as far as you can without any discomfort. You do not want to stretch to the point you feel pain. Adjust your position so that your elbows are behind your body. You are now in the Camel pose. Remain in the pose for up to thirty seconds. To close the pose you should slowly bring your body up and forward in one slow movement. Your hands can crawl back up your legs and rest on your tailbone once again. Move your hands to your hips and then exhale one final time as the pose is released.
NOTE: If you thought this was a good video, wait until you see what we have in store for you in our online yoga class, where we discuss this, and many other Ashtanga Yoga positions in great detail.
Beginners might find is easy to use props with the Camel pose. Blocks will help you learn the form of the pose without causing you to stretch to a painful point. They will also help you balance.
