Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Camel Pose (Ustrasana) is a very important yoga pose which is highly beneficial as well as very easy and comfortable to practice by all.
The name Usrasana (Ustra + asana) comes from the Sanskrit word ‘ustra’ meaning camel and ‘asana’ meaning pose. While in the Camel Pose the body looks like a camel hump. That’s why it is called camel pose.
How to Practice Camel Pose:
Sit on your knees, on a soft surface so that the knees do not ache. Hold your heels with the palms directing them inwards. You can rest your feet on the fingers(of the feet) or flatten them(feet). Please decide as per your comfortability for positioning your feet as per Images 1 or Image 2. Now straighten your waist and gradually bend forward spreading your body weight on the shoulders and pair of hands. Stretch while you bend your body forward after one or several inhalations or while you inhale.
Keep your knees apart in line with your shoulders. Stay for a few breaths and then come back to the previous normal situation while you inhale and exhale.
This can be followed 3-4 times with a Corpse pose after each time of this pose.
Camel Pose comes just after Bow Pose in order of importance.