This translation from Sanskrit is especially beautiful. "The ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart." But, that's a mouthful. It's most often known in English as "wild thing" or as "flipping the dog."
Contraindications: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rotator Cuff injuries, back or spinal injury.
Step by step:
- Begin in Downward Facing Dog, Adho Mukha Svanasana.
- Lift right leg into the air behind you, and stack the hips- right hip over the left hip.
- Bend the right knee, and slowly allow your toes to lower down to the mat. As your foot lowers, lift your right hand off the mat to "flip" yourself over.
- Keep a soft bend through the right knee as your lift your hips up towards the sky.
- Your right arm can continue to sweep behind you overhead, or (my personal favorite variation) you can bring the hand to your heart as your hips lift and your backbend deepens.
- Stay here for 2-5 breaths before flipping back over into Downward Facing Dog. Repeat on the other side.
Advanced Modification:
If you have a deep backbend and are comfortable practicing Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana), try reaching the right hand all the way down to the floor to flip from your Wild Thing into Wheel Pose.
Benefits:
This pose is a deep release for hip flexors and a great way to stretch the chest and throat. It is an energizing pose and strengthens the back muscles.
Breathe, have fun, and be safe all you wild things!
Rebecca
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