Camel pose without the ouch – it is possible?
Camel pose can be a pain in the ass, well that part of our lower backs just above our asses. The problem is not the pose itself which can be super amazingly good for us, but rather our method for getting into it which makes is such a pain.
How to Move Into Camel Pose
In this video I explain why starting the pose with a lift from the chest as we’re often told is a terrible idea, and how starting the pose by leaning back into the legs, or waving up (WHATT) is far far better.
Expect to feel remarkably different in Camel trying these out, both in their lack of discomfort, and in the depth you may find yourself in now that the discomfort is gone.
Here’s a quick run down of the 3 ways explained in the video of how to move into Camel pose from kneeling with hands on the hips:
Old way (Yuck!)
- Lift the chest up through the shoulders
- Press the hips forward and lean the chest back
- Release the head back down behind you
Supported Upright Method (Better!)
- Lean back into the legs slightly in a straight line
- Lengthen tailbone down and pubic bone up to start the backbend from the base
- Move the spine back in space from the base, then the chest, then the neck in a wave moving the spine towards the back of the room
- Deepen the pose by waving deeper from the base
Rolling Into the Pose (Best!)
- Start low chest to legs and toes tucked
- Inhale lift collar bones and sit bones to prepare and create space
- Exhale press down into the legs, lifting your pubic bone up and tailbone down
- Roll all the way up the spine until you express up and back with you exhale
Compare all three ways of getting into Camel pose in your body, and let me know which one works best for you. If you find one of the two new methods I explained here is vastly better for your body, keep applying this new method in your practice.
Good luck and please let us know how you went!
