Posture of the Month - Cobra Pose

Key Points for Your Practice:
-Legs and feet are together throughout the entire posture. Leg and hip muscles nice and tight - one leg like a cobra tail!
-Try using your 100% BACK strength to lift the upper body off the floor. BUT, if your chest is still on the floor, push into your hands a little bit to get the chest off the floor and the arms to a 90 degree angle. This way you receive the compression benefits in the lower spine.
-Keep your elbows close to the ribs and try to slide them down towards the hips to keep your shoulders down and the trapezius muscles visible.
-Come out of the posture slowly and smoothly, building will power and discipline. 

Strengthens: Latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, trapezius, gluteal muscles, abdomen, thighs, deltoids, & biceps.

Stretches: Hip joints, shoulders, heart, & lungs. 

Stimulates: Spinous process, kidneys and renal system, digestive organs, & reproductive organs. 

Benefits: Relieves back pain; increases spinal strength and flexibility; improves the function of the large and small intestines, liver, kidney, and spleen; improves pigeon chest by opening the rib cage; permits maximum expansion of the lungs increasing oxygen intake, therapeutic for asthma; improves digestion and elimination; improves function of reproductive organs; helps relieve lumbago, rheumatism, and arthritis of the spine; reduces symptoms of gout, herniated disc, sciatica, and tennis elbow; relieve menstrual problems; strengthens the immune system and revitalizes the thyroid; helps sciatica; tones the optic nerve, improving vision; & regulates blood pressure through compression of the kidneys and renal system. 

What is happening in the posture: Cobra targets the lower, lumbar region, of the spine and helps with various spinal conditions. This posture massages the abdomen and pelvic region, promoting healthy digestive and reproductive function.