Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose is a common yoga posture that is often incorporated into sun salutation sequences. The name comes from the Sanskrit words bhujanga meaning "snake" or "serpent" and asana meaning "posture" or "seat".

Description

Bhujangasana

In Bhujangasana, the body forms a curve, similar to a cobra ready to strike. The practitioner lies prone, stretches the legs back, tops of the feet on the floor, and spreads the hands on the floor under the shoulders. The elbows are kept close to the body. On an inhalation, the practitioner begins to straighten the arms to lift the chest off the floor, maintaining a connection with the lower body and legs similar to a cobra uncoiling.

Benefits

Bhujangasana is believed to strengthen the spine, stretch the chest, shoulders, and abdomen, firm the buttocks, and relieve stress and fatigue. It is also said to soothe sciatica, be therapeutic for asthma, and stimulate abdominal organs improving digestion.

Precautions

People with back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, or are pregnant should take caution when performing Bhujangasana. It is always recommended to perform any yoga posture under the guidance of a trained yoga teacher.

See also

• List of asanas
• Yoga as exercise
• Hatha yoga

References

Template:Asana-stub