Yoga Pose of the Week: Locust Pose

This weeks pose is Locust Post or it's true name Salabhasana.

Locust Pose

This pose is grouped in with the backbends such as Dhanurasana (Bow Pose). This pose may seem simple at first but it may be more challenging and more interesting than it appears at first.

Salabha = grasshopper, locust

Locust Pose is used to effectively prep beginners for those deeper backbends and works at strengthening the back of the torso, legs, and arms.

I realized when doing this pose for the pictures that it is more challenging than it looks. But it does work to your butt, legs, arms and back.

Cautions

• Serious back injury
• Headache
• Students with neck injuries should keep their head in a neutral position by looking down at the floor; supporting the forehead on a thickly folded blanket may also help. 

On the yoga journal website (where I get most of my information) there are tips for beginners and for deepening the pose if you have been practicing yoga for some time.

Therapeutic Applications

• Fatigue
• Lower-back pain
• Indigestion
• Flatulence
• Constipation

Benefits

• Improves posture
• Strengthens the muscles in the back of the torso including the spine, arms and legs, and the butt.
• Stretches the shoulders, chest, thighs, and belly
• Helps relieve stress
• Stimulates abdominal organs

A variation of this pose, if students are having trouble, is Makarasana = "sea monster". In this pose the legs are raised exactly as they are in Salabhasana, but the fingers are clasped and palms are pressed against the back of the head, index fingers are hooked underneath the base of the skull. The upper torso is lifted, open the arms out to your sides.

Here is a video I found of Ester explaining the pose. I think she does a nice job with her videos. I used another one of her videos for Dolphin Pose. If you missed that post you can click here. Or you can do a search on YouTube for Locust Pose.

Now go out there and try this pose for yourself. 

However be sure to always practice safe yoga. Consult a doctor before you being any yoga routine. And only do what your body allows you to; do not push your limits. Yoga should hurt but it shouldn't be painful. If you are feeling pain switch up your practice. You do not need to impress anyone with your yoga. It is for you.

Yoga isn't about self improvement, it is about self acceptance. 

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

All of the information taken for this pose is from yoga journal.

You can find more information about this pose on the yoga journal website, including step-by-step instructions or the video above does a nice step-by-step as well.

Working on Crescent Moon Pose last week helped me deepen my lounges. And worked on stretching my legs. This will definitely come in handy with my rock climbing.