Exercise: Wild Thing
Sanskrit Name: Camatkarasana
Benefits:
- Opens the chest, lungs, and shoulder area.
- It opens the hip flexors and the front of the leg
- it builds strength in the upper body such as shoulders and back
- it helps improve circulation of blood to the organs
- This pose can be effective in helping deal with fatigue
- This pose may also be effective in helping mild depression
♦Shortening: triceps brachii, gluteus maximus, deltoid
♦lengthening: roator cuff muscles, rectus abdominis, iliopsoas, pectoralis major
♦Stabilizing: quadriceps, biceps brachii, hamstrings
Directions:
1. From Down Dog come into push-up position. Torso and legs in a line, arms straight, hands a little forward of your
2. Bring your feet together, and turn your torso sideways, coming onto the right hand and the outer edge of the right foot. This pose is the same as the setup for Vasishtasna.
3. Place your left (free) hand on your hip, and step the left foot to the ground behind the right leg, shin upright re side to side—the knee can be somewhat extended and the ankle needn’t be directly under the foot.
4. Twist the front of your body towards the sky, and reach overhead with your left hand.
5. This is a relatively modern pose unencumbered by “traditional” prescriptions. The english translation of the name, Wild Thing, suggests playfulness. So play with the foot and arm placement, as well as with the entry and exit.
6. For those of you who are more flexible you might want to try transitioning from this pose directly into Urdhva Dhanurasana [link]. Note the fingers point towards the feet in Urdhva Dhanurasana, but point away from the feet in this pose. And whereas Urdhva Dhanurasana moves towards a more pronounced arch, this asana can have a broader feeling of extension..
Common Problems:
- Must have good core strength, practice side planks and 3 legged dog
- Make sure you are fully warmed up before attempting pose
Contraindications:
- caution for any one with rotator cuff issues or injuries
- caution for any back issues
- caution for any wrist problems such as carpal tunnel