Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana: 

perhaps as equal in recognition to yoga as the headstand, Bhujangasana or cobra pose is an elegant line curved through the spine, head reaching upwards, chest opened in expansion of the heart. It's a beautiful asana, a favorite of mine since my first practice. This is a complex pose even though it appears quite easy to accomplish. There's more reliance on the spine and the arms only play a supporting role. Our initial inclination is to push through with the arms, lessening the back bend, arriving at that beautiful sweeping curve. Yet the actual pose takes commitment to strengthen the spine, only arriving at the fraction of the height that using the arms would allow. Through this we slowly arrive at the full expression of the pose, an elegant line, curved, our hearts opened to the world. 

a beautiful pose. 

body wise this is a back strengthening asana, working the abdominal, as well as supportive muscles that play an active role. Done correctly, and gently, Bhujangasana is a perfect pose for beginning yoga, fixing many issues of lower back pain, and internally working the digestive organs for better function. Really, this is an all important asana, a full taste of yoga in a single pose. My own practice never fails to include Bhujangasana, it's a sacred pose to me, the essence of yoga. 

beautiful.

an elegant line curved through the spine. 

as of a smile. 

~

Peace, Eric