Ustrasana
(Camel Pose)
(oosh-TRAHS-anna)
ustra = camel
The Camel Pose is above all else a posture for opening the heart. The heart is a muscle like any other, and thus needs to be opened and nourished. The heart chakra, Anahata Chakra, in sanskrit means unbeaten or unstruck. Often interpreted as, "unstuck sound," and it is from this chakra that the inner sound or natural music of the body is said to arise. Part of this chakra's strong association with inner sound is due to its relationship with the heart, which throbs, beats or vibrates to a constant unbroken life-giving rhythm. The scriptures describe that there is a sound which is non-physical and non-empirical, which is transcendental in nature, and that this sound is endless and unbroken in the same way that the heart beats faithfully and continuously from before birth until death. In yoga, the heart center is also known as hriday-akasha, which means 'the space within the heart where purity resides'. This chakra is a very delicate center, directly connected with that part of the brain which is responsible for creativity in the sciences and fine arts.
Benefits
Stretches the entire front of the body, the ankles,
thighs, groins, abdomen, chest and throat. Stretches
the deep hip flexors (psoas) and strengthens back muscles
while improving posture and providing stimulation to
the organs of the abdomen and neck.
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