Hump Day Camel Pose

Today for the #sweatpink #poseofthday challenge, camel pose (ustrasana) and pigeon pose (kapotasana) are being featured. Yay!

Now I say, "yay." I used to hate camel pose. I always have had a tight lower back. I accept that I'll never have a bendy, accordion back. A lot of that is just plain anatomy. But by focusing on backbends lately, and making sure my alignment is safe, I've come to love them! Let's break these poses down (definitely make sure you warm up for these!):

Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

Maybe you get a little funky with it... ;)

Start kneeling, maybe with your mat rolled up under your knees for some padding. Bring your hips up so they are in line over your knees and your hands to your low back (I prefer my fingers pointing down). Press down with your hands to guide your tailbone to tuck towards the floor. This encourages your low back to lengthen. Lift your heart up towards the ceiling, lengthening your upper back. Keep all of your newfound space as you start to extend your heart toward the wall behind you. Your head can dip back, just make sure your neck is happy. A sign that your neck is ok is if you can swallow. If you're low back is doing ok (aka, not feeling any twinging, sharp, or shooting pain), you can lower your hands to your heels. Toes can be tucked under to help you out with a few inches, or untucked to challenge the depth of the pose more.

Pigeon Pose (Kapotasana)

Every time I saw this pose, I wrote it off immediately saying that my back wasn't flexible enough for it. A year ago I finally read some instructions and realized that it's not about having an accordion back, but having quad strength! Start the same way as with camel: kneeling, hands on your hips, find length in your lower and upper back, and start to reach your heart behind you. Now bring your hands together at heart center or extend then to your heels or knees. Start to lean your hips back. Your quads will fire BIG TIME, and will limit how far back you'll be able to lean. It feels so different, right?!

Backbends are awesome because they're energizing! So they're great poses to do earlier in the day. You'll also realize they tie in with so many other poses, like I did when shifting some of my practice focus to handstand. (Read more about how this happened here.) You might feel extra tight or closed off in these types of poses when feeling emotional, sad, or stressed. Mind-body connection is a beautiful and complicated thing. By working to open our physical heart space, we work to open our emotional heart space as well: #openheartopenmind.

Question for you: What's your favorite backbend and why?

Join in on our #poseoftheday fun! Check details on the Fit Approach challenge page, watch for the daily posts announcing the surprise pose on @fitapproach on Instagram, and check out my Insta to see what, where, and how I busted my move!

Disclaimer: This pose was sponsored by Fit Approach. Any and all opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor am I your personal yoga instructor or trainer. Please listen to your body and it's limitations.