camatkara (miracle /surprised) + asana (pose)
Whether you call it Flip Dog or Wild Thing (we like Wild Thing), Camatkasana is a strong, twisty, chest-opening confidence-building backbend. As it stretches your heart, chest, neck, & upper abdomen, you´ll experience a gushing flow of joy throughout your body. While the arm balancing component can be truly challenging, many yogis find it far more accessible than Wheel Pose. This is a graceful pose that nonetheless makes you feel like you´re taking a wild leap of faith & it´s understandable why it´s often translated as "the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart". Before attempting Wild Thing, make sure that your spine is already warm by practising Bridge or Plank (side or full) or Reverse Warrior Pose; afterwards, treat your muscles to some time in Down Dog, Runner´s or Crescent Lunge, &/or Child´s Pose. Consider entering the pose from Down Dog, & leaving by reaching your arm up overhead, gently lowering your hips to the floor, & extending your bent leg to come into Staff Pose. If Wild Thing isn´t available to you, modify by placing your knee on the floor (sort of like Gate Pose with a deeper heart-opening twist) or with Side Plank Pose. However you choose to express your Wild Thing, try to hold it for 10 seconds on each side & exult in the fearlessness you´ll feel. Grrrrrrr!!!
Benefits:
stretches the muscles of the extended arm, the upper side of the abdomen, back, chest, & shoulders.
deeply strengthens the muscles of the extended leg (especially the hip flexors, quadriceps & pelvis)
improves the flexibility of the spine, of the hips, arms, shoulders, & the core muscles
opens the hips if entered through Down Dog
strengthens the muscles of the arms & shoulders
opens the lungs & also improves breath-body awareness
helps improve digestion, reduces anxiety, & improves the immune system
boosts energy levels
is therapeutic for mild depression & anxiety.
Remember: not to place too much weight on your supporting hand. Your weight should be evenly distributed between your hand & leg. When coming into the pose, bring the tips of the shoulder blades towards each other, & then lift your chest forward & upward.
Props: you can use yoga blocks under your hands to give you height, but enter into the pose from Down Dog (with both hands already supported by the blocks) before beginning the rotation. If you need to keep your knee on the mat, place a blanket under your knee to relieve any pain or strain.
Modify or avoid Wild Thing Pose if you
are suffering from a wrist, shoulder, neck, elbow, or back injury. Even these injuries are healed, be careful, & take guidance, if possible, from an instructor
have or are prone to migraines
have any heart-related issues
suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
have Low Blood Pressure.
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