What is the cobra pose?
Cobra means “snake” in Hindi. The cobra pose tones the lower back, abdomen, hip flexors, thighs, and calves.
This pose is also effective in stimulating the thyroid and parathyroid glands. It is often the opposite of the child pose or garland pose because instead of folding forward into a ball, you arch back into an S-shape.
The cobra pose stretches the front side of your core by lifting both shoulders off the floor at once to form a “c” shape with your body. This supports your neck while lengthening it so that your head is lifted away from your shoulders – much like when you try to peer over something very tall!
Cobra Pose Increases energy levels, Increases flexibility in the spine, Gives strength to muscles surrounding joints and Improves breathing.
Physical Benefits
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The physical benefits of the cobra pose are improved flexibility in the spine, increased energy levels, and stronger muscles surrounding the joints. This pose also helps to improve breathing.
Mental Benefits
The mental benefits of the cobra pose are a feeling of openness and expansiveness. This pose can help dispel feelings of depression or claustrophobia. It can also help increase confidence and self-esteem.
Emotional Benefits
The emotional benefits of cobra pose include relief from stress and anxiety and the promotion of feelings of joy, happiness, and contentment.
When should you not do Cobra Pose?
If you have a recent or current back or neck injury, proceed cautiously. Please do not force your body into this pose if it is aching or in pain. Instead, work to heal whatever damage you have by resting the injured area and engaging in other activities that do not cause any stress on the affected area(s).
Do not practice cobra pose if you are pregnant, as doing so can put stress on your back, which could cause harm to both you and your baby.
How To Do Cobra Pose?
Begin on hands and knees on a mat with palms flat, shoulder-width apart. Spread fingers wide apart from each other. Curl down toes under, then exhale while lifting hips towards the ceiling, keeping core engaged by pulling navel towards the spine. Keep sinking shoulders away from ears, looking forward.
Allow the head to be heavy and relax towards the floor, but do not drop your head back to look down. Keep your gaze down or close your eyes. Breathe into the lower back, expanding the ribcage with each inhale and allowing the pelvis to sink lower with each exhale.
Stay in this position for 5-10 breaths before slowly releasing it to your hands and knees on a mat.
Cobra pose is a beautiful way to increase flexibility in the spine, strengthen muscles surrounding joints, improve breathing, shed stress and anxiety, and promote a feeling of expansiveness and well-being.
You can incorporate Cobra Pose into your daily routine by beginning with Child’s Pose to warm up and then moving into Cobra Pose for 5-10 breaths. When finished, move back into Child’s Pose for a few more breaths before concluding with a short Savasana. Enjoy!
The cobra pose is a great way to improve spine flexibility, increase energy levels, and strengthen muscles surrounding joints. It can also help dispel feelings of depression or claustrophobia, increase confidence and self-esteem, and relieve stress and anxiety.
Cobra pose should not be practiced if you are pregnant due to the risk of back injury. To do it, start on your hands and knees, then curl your toes under and lift your hips towards the ceiling while keeping your core engaged.
Keep your shoulders down and look forward. Breathe into your lower back and allow your pelvis to lower with each exhale. Stay in this pose for 5-10 breaths before slowly returning to hands and knees. A child’s PPosecan follows as a way to cool down. Enjoy!
How long should you hold the cobra pose?
If you are new to yoga, do not hold this pose for longer than ten breaths. If you continue your practice, aim to work up to 10-15 breaths in the cobra pose before releasing it back onto your mat.
Always listen to your body and only hold the pose as long as you feel comfortable if you feel pain or discomfort, release from the carriage and rest for the child’s sake.
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
The cobra pose is a gentle backbend that stretches and strengthens the spine’s muscles, making them more flexible and elastic. This slow stretching promotes blood flow, encouraging more muscular abs and lower back muscles.
Cobra pose has many benefits for pregnant women, too. It helps eliminate gas problems by compressing the intestine, removing excess gas. If done regularly, it reduces constipation and tones the uterus as well.