The Cobra Yoga Pose - Naga-asana
"Let the body, from navel to toes, touch the ground, the palms placed upon the ground, and raise gently the upper part of the body (from navel to head) like a snake. This posture increases the gastric fire; it destroys all diseases and by constant practice leads to the awakening of Kundalini." - The Gheranda-samhita II.42-43.
The Sanskrit word naga means snake or serpent. The cobra pose naga-asana is also identified as the bhujanga-asana and it resembles an aloft position of a serpent snake that’s why it’s been called as cobra pose. Basically the Cobra pose is valuable in many ways, both physically and mentally and works on opening up four chakras within the body. The cobra pose is a beginning backbend in yoga that aids to organize the body for deeper backbends.
Step by Step instructions
Compose yourself to learn The Cobra pose and Naga-asana from these below instructions:
- Laze on the stomach with the head turned to one side and the arms flanking the body with palms facing aloft.
- Turn the head and place the chin on the floor.
- Breathe in then exhale slowly through the nostrils and swing the arms around until the hands are placed just below the chin with the palms down and the finger tips of each hand almost touching and the elbows on the floor.
- Inhale leisurely through the nostrils, press down on the hands and lift the chest from the waist up off the floor, arching the spine backwards and straightening the arms.
- Keep the hips on the floor.
- Slant the head as far back as possible and hold the posture for the duration of the inhaled breath.
- Breathe out and overturn the process to return to position #1.
Benefits
You can dig out a vast number of benefits by practicing Cobra yoga pose:
- Increase the flexibility of the spine
- Stretches the chest while strengthening the spine and shoulders
- Helps to open the lungs, which is therapeutic for asthma
- Stimulates the abdominal organs and helps improving digestion.
Risk factors
- Avoid practicing Cobra pose if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, or a recent back or wrist injury
- Women who are pregnant should avoid practicing this pose while on the floor, although they may practice it standing with their palms against a wall.
