Heather Morton: Advanced Kapotasana

Shot on location in Mysore, South India; the home of Heather's primary teacher Yogacharya Venkatesha, a champion of backbending. The practice of the camel (ushtrasana) to pigeon (kapotasana). This advanced backbend opens the chest and shoulders. It gives a tremendous stretch to the pelvis region as well as toning the entire spine.

This position comes from a dedicated and consistent practice. It evolved from my own personal practice from over a decade. It is not recommended for beginners, but demonstrates the 'possibilities' that are within reach. Consult a qualified teacher for details on how 'you' can practice or what would be an appropriate sequence that serves as a building block. One of the deceiving aspects of a sequence like this is that it does not reveal the 'entire' practice. Taken in its context it is a snap shot of one aspect of practice (not the whole).

Category:

Education

Tags:

• yoga
• camel pose
• ustrasana
• kapotasana
• advanced camel pose
• exercise
• back bending

[ellie3637]

When she was unfolding, she put a great amount of pressure on her lower back, not good!

[TheYogaWay]

@ellie3637 This could be cause for concern if the chest and legs are not used. Actually the instructions and the method itself demonstrates the lift up from rising upward and out. When the chest is also engaged this prevents any strain onto the lower back. All beginners should be mindful of not extending too much in the low back.The more flexible one is as well as the more the need is to be mindful of NOT sinking into the sacrum.

[Enchacner20208]

Its that normal? I'm not even going to try that doesn't look normal i would break myself

[TheYogaWay]

@Enchacner20208 It is not recommended that you begin with such a posture. In fact, this takes many, many years to master. It may also NOT be recommended for everyone. However, assuming that there are no knee issues or low back problems then it is a posture that many students and teachers of yoga gradually find themselves moving deeper into. Hope that helps...

[whackowitch]

...Yeah I hope I never get quite that into yoga lol. Good way to get injured if you don't warm up enough and I'd prefer to get injured doing interval training!

[TheYogaWay]

@whackowitch For sure you should not start off with this posture. Check out my new DVD that is the bedrock to the practices of backbending. This posture shown in the video is not to be taken lightly. It comes from years and years of a dedicated practice.

[TheYogaWay]

@Sozialneutralist Since we all have to die sooner or later, this might not be a bad way to exit (ha). I actually told me my teacher once that I'd like to die doing a backbend. She made a horrible face and felt I ought to rethink it. During quiet meditation would work (after backbending),

Thanks for yr comment. However, since this is a public forum....maybe 'what the heck?' is better.

Mind you, the "F" word has a certain impact that NO other word in English can compare to.

[TheYogaWay]

@shamwam888 Yes, you are right. I renamed it recently. There was one small glitch on the video..as I called it camel...but is known as the king pigeon pose. There are several variations to it....One of which that gets confused with a pose in the 2nd series of Ashtanga that is called the thunder-blot pose.

[TheYogaWay]

@ClickHereGOcheer Keep it up....it is all good and comes with practice.

[TheYogaWay]

@KinoYoga Many thanks, Kino. Thanks for dropping by as well. Just trying to keep up with practice.....:-0

[gabriel9130]

She's gonna be the first person that say her ass!