Standing Bow Pulling Pose: Dandayamana Dhanurasana

Man doing Standing Bow PoseWoman doing Standing Bow PoseMan doing Standing Bow PoseWoman doing Standing Bow PoseLike camel posture, standing bow posture seems to exist on the extremes of Bikram practitioners – for some being their favourite posture and for others being their most loathed. Love it or hate it, this posture is a perfect example of the “tourniquet” effect in Bikram yoga, because it transfers circulation from one side of the body to the other and then equalizes it. Standing bow posture is a very comprehensive posture, improving the flexibility and strength of most of the body’s muscles.

Benefits of Standing Bow Pulling Pose

  • Stimulates the cardiovascular system
  • Increases circulation to the heart and lungs
  • Opens diaphragm
  • Opens the shoulder joints
  • Helps with frozen shoulder conditions
  • Improves the elasticity of the spine
  • Improves strength and balance firming the abdominal wall and upper thighs while also tightening the upper arms, hips and buttocks
  • Increases the size and elasticity of the rib cage and lungs and improves the flexibility and strength of the lower spine
  • Helps to reduce abdominal fat

Tips for Standing Bow Pulling Pose

  • Grab the ankle joint and keep a good strong grip using all five fingers
  • Start with your knees together
  • Raise arm up to and continuously stretch it up toward the ceiling
  • Make sure to keep your knee locked
  • Charge your body forward
  • Feel your spine arching backward as you kick
  • Keep imagining seeing your foor coming over the top of your head more and more

More on Standing Bow Pulling Pose

Previous Yoga Pose: Standing Head to Knee Pose

Next Posture: Balancing Stick Pose