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Ustrasana

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Ustrasana
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Ustrasana (Sanskrit: उष्ट्रासन; IAST: Uṣṭrāsana), Ushtrasana, or Camel Pose[1] is a kneeling back-bending asana in modern yoga as exercise.

Etymology and origins

The name comes from the Sanskrit words उष्ट्र Uṣṭra, "camel",[2] and आसन, Asana meaning "posture" or "seat".[3]

A different (standing) pose is given the name Ushtrasana in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi.[4] The modern pose is described in the 20th century by two of Krishnamacharya's pupils, Pattabhi Jois in his Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga,[5] and B. K. S. Iyengar in his Light on Yoga.[6]

Description

An International Day of Yoga class in Kolkata practising Ardha Ustrasana, Half Camel pose

Ustrasana is a deep backward bend from a kneeling position; the completed pose has the hands on the heels.[7] The backs of the feet may be flat on the floor, or the toes may be tucked under for a slightly less strong backbend.[8]

The pose is one of the 26 asanas in the Bikram Yoga sequence.[9]

Variations

The name Ardha Ustrasana, Half Camel pose, is given to two different poses. One has the hands on the hips;[10] the other has one hand on the heel on the same side, as in the full pose, and the other arm stretched back over the head.[11]

The pose can be modified by providing supports such as yoga bricks beside the calves for the hands.[8]

Claims

Twentieth century advocates of some schools of yoga, such as B. K. S. Iyengar, made claims for the effects of yoga on specific organs, without adducing any evidence.[12][13] Iyengar claimed that this pose would benefit "drooping shoulders and hunched backs".[14] He claimed that the "whole spine is stretched and toned".[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Yoga Journal - Camel Pose". Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  2. ^ "Dhanurasana". AshtangaYoga. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  3. ^ Sinha, S. C. (June 1996). Dictionary of Philosophy. Anmol Publications. p. 18. ISBN 978-81-7041-293-9.
  4. ^ Sjoman 1999, p. 77; plate 9, pose 54.
  5. ^ Sjoman 1999, pp. 100–101.
  6. ^ Iyengar 1979, pp. 87–88.
  7. ^ Pizer, Ann (7 February 2019). "How to Do Camel Pose (Ustrasana) in Yoga". Very Well Fit. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  8. ^ a b Swanson, Ann (2019). Science of yoga : understand the anatomy and physiology to perfect your practice. New York, New York: DK Publishing. pp. 76–79. ISBN 978-1-4654-7935-8. OCLC 1030608283.
  9. ^ "26 Bikram Yoga Poses". Bikram Yoga Poses Guide. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Camel pose modifications, half Camel pose for beginners, ardha ustrasana steps and benefits". Vishwanti Yoga. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Half Camel | Ardha Ustrasana". Yoga Basics. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  12. ^ Newcombe 2019, pp. 203–227, Chapter "Yoga as Therapy".
  13. ^ Jain 2015, pp. 82–83.
  14. ^ a b Iyengar 1979, p. 88.

Sources

Iyengar, B. K. S. (1979) [1966]. Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika. Unwin Paperbacks. ISBN 978-1855381667.
Jain, Andrea (2015). Selling Yoga : from Counterculture to Pop culture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-939024-3. OCLC 878953765.
Newcombe, Suzanne (2019). Yoga in Britain: Stretching Spirituality and Educating Yogis. Bristol, England: Equinox Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78179-661-0.
Sjoman, Norman E. (1999) [1996]. The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 81-7017-389-2.
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