Chakrasana, also called Urdhva Dhanurasana, is an asana. Sanskrit: ऊर्ध्वधनुरासन; Urdhva – Upward, Dhanur – Bow, Asana – Pose; Pronounced As – OORD-vah don-your-AHS-anna
The chakrasana is a backbend yoga position and a part of an Ashtanga Yoga routine’s trailing off activities. It is also known as the Upward Facing Bow Pose. The stance resembles a wheel or an upward facing bow when assumed. This asana is noted for allowing the spine to be very flexible. When performed as part of an acrobatic routine, it is known as the back bridge. In this article, we have detailed chakrasana yoga and other related issues. Continue reading to know more.
Everything You Need To Know About The Chakrasana
- What You Should Know Before You Do The Asana
- How To Do The Urdhva Dhanurasana
- Precautions And Contraindications
- Beginner’s Tips
- Advanced Pose Alterations
- Benefits Of The Upward Facing Bow Pose
- The Science Behind The Chakrasana
- Preparatory Poses
- Follow-Up Poses
What You Should Know Before You Do The Asana
This asana must be performed only when your stomach and bowels are empty. It is best to have a meal at least four to six hours before your practice so that the food is digested well enough and you are energized for the workout.
It is best to practice yoga in the morning. But in the event you cannot manage to take out time in the morning, you can do it in the evening as well.
Level: Basic
Style: Hatha Yoga
Duration: 1 to 5 minutes
Repetition: None
Stretches: Abdomen, Thorax, Lung
Strengthens: Back, Legs, Arms, Vertebral column, Abdomen, Buttocks, Wrists
How To Do The Urdhva Dhanurasana (Chakrasana)
- Lie flat on your back on the floor. You may bend your knees so that the soles of your feet are on the floor and closer to your buttocks. Make sure that your feet are hip-width apart.
- Your hands must be placed behind your shoulders, ensuring your fingers are opened up and pointed towards your shoulders.
- Once you feel comfortable in this stance, balance your weight on your limbs. Then, press your feet and palms, and lift your entire body off the mat. Let your head hang gently. Your neck should be long.
- Make sure you breathe comfortably. Take slow, deep breaths.
- Hold the pose for a minute, or as long as you are comfortable. Then, release by bending your arms and legs, and gently lowering your back on the ground. Lie down in Shavasana for a few minutes before you resume normal activity or continue with your workout.
Precautions And Contraindications
These are some points of caution you must keep in mind before doing this asana.
- It is best to avoid this asana if you have tendonitis in the wrists or carpal tunnel syndrome.
- If your lower back starts to hurt due to the extension, immediately come out of the pose. Make sure you drive the posture the glutes and the thoracic spine.
- You must steer clear of this asana if you have a shoulder impingement.
- Do not do this asana if you suffer from headaches or high blood pressure.
Beginner’s Tips
As a beginner, when you do this pose, you will find your feet and knees splaying as you lift your body to assume this pose. This will tend to compress your lower back. So, you can use a strap on your thighs to keep them hip-width apart throughout the asana.
If you need to keep your feet in place, use a block between them such that the sides of the big toes press the edges of the block.
Advanced Pose Alterations
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To intensify the pose, you can do the Eka Pada Urdhva Dhanurasana. For this, once you get into the Wheel Pose, move your weight on one foot. Then, as you exhale, bend the other foot at the knee, and pull it into your torso. Exhale and stretch it out upwards. Hold the pose for a few seconds, and then bring your heel to the floor as you exhale. Repeat using the other leg.
The Benefits Of The Upward Facing Bow Pose
These are some amazing benefits of chakra asana.
- It gives your lungs and chest a good stretch. It also expands the shoulders and the chest.
- This asana also gives strength to your legs, abdomen, buttocks, spine, shoulder blades, glutes, hamstrings, lower back, wrists, and arms.
- It is known to stimulate the pituitary and thyroid glands.
- Practicing this asana also gives a good stretch to your hip flexors, your core, and your wrist flexors.
- It is known to give relief to some lower back pains.
- It cures infertility, asthma, and osteoporosis.
- It also relieves stress and reduces depression, and makes you feel energetic and full of life.
The Science Behind The Chakrasana (Urdhva Dhanurasana)
Like most other yoga asanas, this one also works on our mind, body, and emotions. This asana encapsulates the whole essence of back bending and moves you towards joy and fearlessness and is a boon for people experiencing brain fog or related mind afflictions.
It is known to enhance the vital force that surrounds your heart and the distributive force that is all over your body (pran and vyana), therefore helping you become more aware of things and also building the courage to battle any challenge that comes your way.
This asana focuses on flexing the frontal part of the body that includes the shoulders, the intercostal muscles, the wrists, the hip flexors, and the quadriceps. It also imparts strength to the shoulders, sacrum, wrists, and arms, and makes them more stable. If done correctly, it also helps to rotate the thighs and arms and also engage the hamstrings.
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Preparatory Poses
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
Virasana
Follow-Up Poses
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Supta Padangusthasana
Chakrasana is a backbend yoga pose included in the Ashtanga Yoga routine’s trailing off courses. This asana has many health benefits. It should only be done if your bowels and stomach are empty. The frontal region of the body, including the intercostal muscles, shoulders, hip flexors, wrists, and quadriceps, are flexed in chakrasana yoga. This asana also provides more strength and stability to the sacrum, shoulders, arms, and wrists. Even though it is considered a basic asana, it is exceedingly difficult to perform. However, it can make you stronger, more empathetic, brave, and cheerful if done correctly and regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we do Chakrasana daily?
Yes, you can do Chakrasana daily as it can reduce stress and strengthen your eyesight (1).
Does Chakrasana reduce belly fat?
Yes, Chakrasana may help burn fats from the abdominal area (1).
Why is Chakrasana difficult?
Chakrasana can be challenging to perform as it requires immense shoulder strength to lift the body.
How many times should I do Chakrasana?
You can do Chakrasana 12 times. But make sure that the posture is proper and that you are breathing the right way.