Yoga Challenge Day 9: Sphinx and Low Cobra
Sphinx and Low Cobra are small backbends, but the back isn't the only place to benefit. We chose this pose because it not only releases tension in the lower back, but also stretches and lengthens the spine, opens the heart and chest, and pulls the shoulders down away from the ears. Really turning the elbows in helps to activate the chest muscles - as in prior poses, we want to really open and strengthen this chest area instead of hunching and hiding it. Relaxing back down onto the mat always feels delicious as you take time to touch base with all the great work that happens in this pose, breathing that fresh, healing oxygen into all areas as they relax even further.
Comment
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Comment by Janice Rohwedder on April 21, 2010 at 7:14pm -
What a good stretch for the lower back. I feel taller now. Pretty good for a 5' 2" person. Thank-you
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Comment by Katheryn Harlan on April 21, 2010 at 10:58am -
I teach students to press into the knees & toenails if they are having any discomfort in the low back. Great back strengthener!
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Comment by lorraine on April 21, 2010 at 5:31am -
Something I like to do to prepare for this pose is to extend my arms along the floor in front of me and pull the chest and belly forward to make more room before back bending.
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Comment by Jim on April 21, 2010 at 5:05am -
great stretch for my lower back- love the emphasis on the arm positioning
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Comment by Elizaabeth McKinley on April 21, 2010 at 4:49am -
these feel very good. Nice help with positioning of arms, which I find sometimes hard.
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Comment by Liz Lawler on April 21, 2010 at 4:12am -
I love sphinx. It's such subtle ab work.
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Comment by jes on April 20, 2010 at 10:32pm
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I like the sphinx but the low cobra hurts my back. I would have liked more information about leg placement and what muscles in the legs should be active and which passive.
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Comment by Karin Tang on April 20, 2010 at 8:48pm
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Wonderful poses for the back but need to make some adjustments as I have a tight back. Have posted some alternatives and options which you can make when doing the poses at my blog http://yogaashram25.blogspot.com
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Comment by Kalina "Kitten" McCreery on April 20, 2010 at 7:04pm
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I was sad when I overslept this morning and didn't get to see the newest video. Now, I think it was perfect timing as I came home from work and had this a a delightful wind down. Thanks!!
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Comment by Deborah Sica on April 20, 2010 at 6:15pm
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These poses felt great on the back amd shoulders....keep them coming.
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