Baby cobra pose or bhujangasana is a beginner pose. It is a simple but very effective pose. Those who suffer from back pain, looking for improving spinal flexibility, to strengthen chest, arms and shoulders, upper back, to practice slow breathing, to open heart space and to practice focusing can get benefit from bhujangasana. Bhujanga in sanskrit refers to Serpent or snake. With lifted head and body lying on the mat pose resembles a baby cobra hence the name bhujangasana. It is also one of the step in Suryanamaskara and gives full exercise for entire body – Healthylife.werindia.com

Level: Beginner

Anatomy : Abs, chest, hamstrings, shoulders, upper back

Pose Type : Back bend, hip opener, prone

Sanskrit name: Bhujangasana, Boo-janga-asana, Bhujana; Snake, Serpent

Benefits

• Improves spinal flexibility and mobility
• Deepens breathing
• Strengthens shoulders and chest
• Opens heart space
• Energizes entire body
• Lessens stress

Contraindications

• Low back strain or pain
• Wrist strain or pressure
• Pregnant women

How To

1. Lay down on your belly with your chin or forehead resting on the floor or mat
2. Plant your hands underneath your shoulders
3. Begin to lighten the pressure in your palms
4. Engage your core
5. Draw your shoulder blades together
6. Inhale to lift your chest from the mat bringing your neck and head to rise
7. Rest with your chest lifted for a couple of breaths only a few inches above the mat
8. Exhale to gently lower down and rest your chin or forehead back on the mat

Modify or Replace

• Spread the feet further apart to lessen pressure in the low back
• Keep your gaze ahead if looking up causes strain in your neck or spine

Sequencing Tips

Before:

• Child pose (Balasana)
• Table Top (Bharmanasana)
• Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana)

After:

• Cobra (Bhujangasana)
• Sphinx (Salamba Bhujangasana)
• Upward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Teaching Cues

• Extend your toes towards the back of your space, lifting one leg and reaching the toes back, then planting it down, and then the other, so that your low back is open and free of compression
• Maintain a long spine
• Tuck your chin toward chest
• Peel your heart towards the front of the space, allow it to reach in front of your shoulders and arms

Variations

• Find rolling cobra by moving in and out of Baby Cobra a few times with your breath
• Float your hands and further engage the muscles of your upper back
• Gaze towards the ceiling to enhance the uplifting qualities of

Watch Out For

• Too much weight in your hands
• Chin over extension

This article with image is published with prior permission from beyogi.com