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How to do Camel Pose, whether you are stiff or bendy.

5/5/2019

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Diane Ducharme Gardner recently visited BYSJ and graced us with her wisdom, expertise and insight. Among the top "a ha" moments that students have been sharing they experienced at the workshop is this one: how to get into Camel pose!
How do you know it's right?
It works.
For any body! 
Check out the video for the full demonstration of correct technique:

The key you'll want to remember is: when you hear the instructor say "go back halfway and stop in the middle," that does not mean bend back. 

It means lean back halfway, using your strong thigh muscles, thereby decreasing the distance between your hand and the heel. If you approach the pose this way, almost anyone can grab the heels!
Once you have the grip on the heels (and don't lose it) you can push everything forward toward the mirror, causing the back muscles to engage and bend your spine evenly, creating 360 degree angle backward bending.

It feels so good when you do it right.

Even better, Camel pose boasts numerous benefits for your life outside of the yoga room, including:
  • Compresses kidneys and adrenal glands to help reduce excess stress hormones.
  • Sends fresh blood to the kidneys.
  • Stretches abdominal organs, stimulating digestive system.
  • Stretches the throat, thyroid gland and parathyroid gland.
  • Stimulates the nervous system.
  • Opens rib cage to allow for maximum expansion of the lungs.
  • Maximum compression of spine, improving flexibility and circulation.​

Depth in any posture is a result of correct technique and time.

So it never matters how much you do, as long as you practice with consistent correct technique. 

​The beautiful thing about the instructions you hear in class is that they work for any body- stiff, flexible, injured, whatevs. But don't take our word for it. Now that you have seen a stellar example in the video, try following word by word with the correct technique in your next class!
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Camel pose with Audrey!

8/24/2018

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One of our most favorite guest teachers, Audrey Holst, returns to BYSJ on September 14-15 for a superspecial 2-part event! Check out this video from last time she was here...
Audrey's "Fortify Your Foundations" class will have plenty of gems along the lines of what you see in this video and more: including how to practice sustainably, no matter if you are flexible, stiff, strong, loose, new, experienced, whatever. Her Moving Beyond the Postures workshop on the 15th will explore the incredible impact of breath and mindfulness on your yoga practice. Audrey lives in Massachussetts, so this is a rare opportunity to get to soak up some of her awesome energy. Click below to find out more and reserve your spot!
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POTM: Camel Pose/ Ustrasana

10/5/2017

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Camel is great for so many things! Among its benefits are:
  • Compresses kidneys and adrenal glands to help reduce excess stress hormones.
  • Sends fresh blood to the kidneys.
  • Stretches abdominal organs, stimulating digestive system.
  • Stretches the throat, thyroid gland and parathyroid gland.
  • Stimulates the nervous system.
  • Opens rib cage to allow for maximum expansion of the lungs.
  • Maximum compression of spine, improving flexibility and circulation.

This is a posture where it's very normal, especially as a beginner, to feel dizzy, nauseous or emotional. The best thing to do is? Breathe. Immediately after you exit the posture, lie down in savasana (try to skip the water, handtowel, or whatever else you automatically reach for in that moment.) No worries, those feelings will pass- or you may even learn to like them! Backward bending this way is most likely a new sensation, and opening your chest, hips and throat can feel vulnerable.

Here's a video Peter and I shot with our special guest teacher Audrey Holst. I asked Audrey if she had noticed any trends among our students in the way we are practicing, and together we agreed that Camel pose could use some attention to make sure you all are getting the goody mentioned above, without causing strain or pain. Enjoy, and please let us know if these tips are helpful for you!
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    Author

    HHY Founder, Yoga Business Coach, yoga-doer and life-lover, Kay Afif!

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