Remember the song “Things That Make You Go Hmm” by C+C Music Factory? Well this is “Poses That Make You Go Hmmm”. Are you with me?
I try to practice yoga 1-2 times per week at studios across Canada. However, I also have other aspects to my fitness routine, including lifting weights, running and swimming. I have adopted a few yoga poses that I practice on my own outside of the yoga studio and reap the benefits. One of them is Cat Cow. Now you know I am not a certified yoga instructor, right? Someday. But for now, I am just a wannabe. So why should you practice Cat Cow? I will tell you. Straight up.
Cat Cow can be an easy, gentle way to warm up your spine at the beginning of any yoga practice. Or. Wait for it. Cat Cow can prepare your body for any physical activity or be used anytime and anywhere to help improve mobility during your workout. Boom! Now, be honest. Do you warm up before exercising? Some of us do. Yay! Many of us don’t. Bummer. So consider adding this simple, yet amazing yoga pose to not just your yoga practice, but to your regular “non-yoga” exercise routine as well. Trust me, your back and spine with sing “thank you”!
How To Perform Cat Cow:
- Kneel on your hands and knees, keep your back flat with your hands directly below your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips.
- Start with your gaze downward, inhale and look up and lift your tailbone slightly.
- Exhale, then round your spine toward the ceiling, bringing your chin down to your chest and lower your tailbone toward the ground.
So warming up your spine to prevent injuries and pain isn’t enough to get you “cat-cowing”? Let me make you go “hmmm”. By adding Cat Cow to your warm up or even just taking a few minutes during the day to practice this pose, you will help to improve mobility and flexibility in your spine. Cat Cow stretches the back torso and neck and can gently stimulate and strengthen the abdominal organs including the kidneys and adrenal glands. Regular practice will help open your chest and improve your posture, help correct imbalances and prevent neck and back pain. Hmmm.
Do you have a yoga pose that you incorporate into your other exercise routine or everyday life?