Cobra Pose can be performed as a counter pose for Downward Facing Dog Pose.
Cobra Pose is called as Bhujangasana in Sanskrit. ‘Bhujanga’ in Sanskrit means ‘snake’. Snake assumes striking pose on two occasions – once when it is going for an attack and the second one is when it is involved in intercourse. On both occasions, it raises high. If you were to divide its body into three, its body lifts up to the third part when it assumes a striking pose.
Snakes, birds and their likes have cloaca under their digestive organs, which is an orifice that serves as a passageway for intestinal, genital and urinary waste. When the snake takes an attacking stance it raises its body up to cloaca. In Cobra Pose, the upper body from head till the area of intestinal organs is raised and lower part of the body, that is, below the intestinal organs is on the floor.
The entire spine is stretched in Cobra Pose and hence the spinal column is strengthened and nerves get stimulated and stronger. The abdominal area also gets stretched and hence the internal organs in abdominal area are stimulated. The pose relieves issues related to genital organs. It promotes healthy function of urinary bladder.
Snake gains power while in this position. So does human while doing Cobra Pose.
While ‘bhujanga’ means ‘snake’, ‘bhuja’ means shoulders. In Cobra Pose, weight of the upper part of the body is held by hands and hence wrists, upper arms and shoulders are strengthened. Neck muscles are strengthened too.
Other Benefits of Cobra Pose
Other benefits of Cobra Poses are given below:
- Cobra Pose boosts immunity.
- It strengthens lungs and is effective in prevention of respiratory conditions including asthma.
- It is one of the best yoga poses for neck pain and shoulder pain.
- Since Cobra Pose is effective in reducing excess fat in abdomen, it is considered one of the most effective yoga poses for tummy fat.
- The pose helps to relieve menopausal symptoms.
- The pose relieves stress.
- It cures fatigue.
Instructions
Let us see how to do Cobra Pose.
- Lie face down on the mat. Place your palms on the floor by the sides of your chest.
- Inhale as you lift your body up to your hips. Your hands should be straight.
- Draw your shoulders back and expand your chest.
- Look straight or lift your chin to look above.
- Hold the pose for 20 seconds. Exhale as you return to the original position.
Note
Those with high blood pressure, hernia and ulcer should refrain from practicing the pose. The pose is not recommended to those with severe wrist pain.
Note of Thanks:To Dr. Baktha, retired veterinary doctor, with wealth of experience in his field.
Yoga Pose for Day 15 – Sphinx Pose (Salamba Bhujangasana)
Sphinx Pose can be performed as a counter pose to Child Pose. Just like Child Pose is a baby’s lying position, Sphinx Pose resembles a baby holding the weight of its upper body in both hands while lying. The term ‘salambha’ in Sanskrit means ‘support’, ‘bhujanga’ means ‘snake’. This is generally considered as a half striking pose of a snake.
Yoga Pose for Day 14 – Child Pose (Balasana)
The term ‘bala’ in Sanskrit means ‘baby’. The pose gets its name owing to the resemblance of the face-down lying position of a child. Why do babies lie face down?
Yoga Pose for Day 12 – Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
A counter pose for Thunderbolt Pose, Downward Facing Dog Pose is one of the best poses for digestion.
