Like anything, with more practice, some backbends have become a little more enjoyable (bow pose still isn’t number 1 on my daily yoga practice list).
Camel pose though, was always more gentle, its always felt like it was accessible, even as a beginner and you also immediately feel that rush of energy after doing the pose.
Yes I’m a millennial, who likes quick fixes and Camel pose certainly feels that way.
During my Yoga teacher training, it was interesting to get a tip in this pose, that just clicked for me.
As we all want to be the best when doing yoga (hello there Ego), we overreach for those feet and therefore bring the hips back in towards the calves. Which means that you’re not getting the benefits of a backbend or opening of your front body.
Related: 7 day beginner’s yoga challenge, to get you started,
What you want is to imagine there’s a wall, where your knees and hips are pressed against. While the rest of your upper body is facing the wall. Yes it’s a little weird, but hold on.
You want to press those nice strong thighs of yours, up against the wall, which make reaching back for your feet more difficult, but you are now doing the posture properly.
This pose is a great beginner pose, as you can get into the pose how it feels best for You.
As seen below you can press your hands on your lower back pressing the lower back, towards the front of your body.
You can also bring the heels up, by tucking your feet under, if you’d like to reach for your heels.
If you can’t get into the pose, bring the pose up to you.
You can also use blocks! Don’t be ashamed to use blocks, it does not make you a worse yoga student, teacher or person!
It is really beneficial to ease into a pose, rather than forcing it and then feeling sore afterwards. Then never doing yoga ever again! Pretty please, don’t do that.
Tuck in those elbows in, towards each other, as if you’re doing the funky chicken but not really.
Tucking in your elbows towards each other, is going to lower your shoulders away from the ears (I’m sure you’ve heard that countless times in a yoga lesson).
While also opening your heart, if you’re into Chakras, Camel Pose helps to open the Anahata Chakra, your heart Chakra.
This feeling of opening your chest, opening your heart, can be helpful for those suffering from a broken heart and regain trust by practicing to be more open to love.
You know how when you’re feeling anxious or upset, your shoulders hunch protecting your heart.
If you have any neck pain, you can look forwards towards your chest, if your neck is ok, move it behind.
You’ll feel the muscles of your front body, from your spine, thighs, chest and throat.
Another key thing in this pose, is to Remember to BREATHE! As much as it is uncomfortable at first.
The key here to more advanced in backbends, is to find the comfort, in the discomfort and be able to breathe!
Not at all, breathing through difficult poses (like situations in life) means you’ll find the most benefit in your yoga practice!
So back to practicing Camel pose, at least try 2 full breaths in the pose.
As you slowly come back up, don’t counter pose into Child’s Pose yet. Bring your hands up to your chest in prayer pose, with your eyes closed and see how you feel.
I would recommend to try this pose 3 times, to take away the old cobwebs. When first trying it and then to feel somewhat a little more comfortable.
Then when you are done, get into your counter pose, Child’s Pose, breathe and don’t forget to smile.
Camel pose is a great pose, heart opener and backbend for yoga beginners. This pose is accessible to beginners due to its more accessible nature, as a kneeling pose.
Whatever level you are, backbends feel weird. Your spine never goes backwards unless you’re a pro snowboarder who backflips on the daily (most mere mortals do not do this).
Camel pose is good for your digestive system. It is also beneficial for your reproductive system (wink wink).
The pose stretches the stomach and the intestines, this can help with constipation (always good to know).
While the backbend loosens up the vertebrae, stimulating the spinal nerves.
This can relieve backache, lumbago (pain in the muscles and joints of the lower back), bad posture and drooping shoulders.
If you’re able to look back in this pose, it will stretch and tone the organs in the throat and regulate the thyroid.
Lastly for the ladies, this pose is also good to relieve Period pain. I personally haven’t tried this pose during my period, it hasn’t appealed to me to do it but I will give it a try next time!
If you have very severe back pain, please ask for advice from your medical practitioner before trying this pose.
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