1.- Ustrasana: What does it mean?
Ustrasana tries to perform a backward bend, which will considerably increase flexibility and at the same time increase its central strength and thus stretch the entire front part of the body. As data, this Asana comes from the Sanskrit term Ustra, which means “camel” and Asana, which means “pose” or “posture“.
When starting this Asana you must kneel down and then lean back and be able to touch your feet with both hands. If you have already practiced this Asana before, you could even touch your feet with your head, but as we have said before, only in the case that you are already an advanced Yogi. Ustrasana is a preparatory posture for Dhanurasana. Many people do not give adequate importance to the preparatory Asanas, since they consider that as soon as they learn an advanced Asana, they no longer need to practice the preparatory one to start the main one.
To practice this Asana and your Yoga session in general, we recommend using this Nag Champa incense.
2.- Ustrasana: Importance
The practice of Ustrasana is considered an effective way to relax the mind and thus find calm and balance. Because the practitioner must lean back without seeing where they are going, this Asana promotes a deep sense of self-confidence and confidence in the body, as well as feelings of strength and inner strength. Also, as we will discuss in the next point, this asana opens the Anahata (Heart) Chakra as the chest extends and draws the heart out.
If you want to avoid being too stretched out and have a better understanding of the limits of your body, perform this Asana slowly and carefully.
This Asana may seem like an unnatural and uncomfortable position at first, but thanks to this it forces the yogi to overcome his fears and trust his own body. They can do this by focusing inward while taking deep, controlled breaths. Those with limited flexibility can modify the pose by tucking their toes down to lift their heels.
The physical act of going all out is also considered a way of accessing the nervous system and slowly uncovering all the emotions and feelings that are stored within oneself.
3.- Ustrasana enhances the Anahata Chakra
Making use of Yoga to open the Chakras is a way to achieve inner peace and harmony. The Chakras are an element of our body, which we must take into account if we work on our spirituality and modulate our mind.
We will see this method to activate the Chakra reflected in a better physical and mental sensation, and in a better attitude towards ourselves and towards our entire environment.
“Anahata Chakra represents the center of our Being. From this center of power where the heart is located, emanates the purest and most sincere feeling of Love, and it is the gateway to God.”
Enmanuel Torras Mata
The fourth Chakra is Anahata, associated with the color green and the element of Air; It is the intermediate Chakra between the upper and lower Chakras. In Anahata resides the heart, and from this center emanate the purest and most sincere feelings of Love, without form or limits. Its openness opens us to a higher experience of our own life, and encourages us to maintain a more spiritual life.
4.- Benefits
The main benefits that Ustrasana can offer you are several, among them the most significant are: stretching the neck, opening the chest, stretching the quadriceps of the legs, strengthening the abdominals both when entering and maintaining the posture, making more flexible than Count your back and strengthen your shoulders.
Also, if you do the practice with this Nag Champa incense you can further enhance your practice.
It is relaxing, especially if you spend long hours sitting with your back hunched over looking at the computer screen.
5.- Contraindications
This is an intense Asana, so it is best to do it while you are physically fit. In case you have back pain or the following injuries that we will attach below, consult your doctor to study your case.
If your neck hurts.
High or low blood pressure.
Migraine
Insomnia
Serious back or neck injury.