Like 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
- Mari Dickey’s Tips on Standing Bow Pulling posture
- How Do You Do That Posture? Standing Bow Pose
- Lock the Knee, Lock the Knee, Lock the Knee
- Is it better to hold postures for the full time or go as deep as you can, even if you fall out?
Previous Yoga Pose: Standing Head to Knee Pose
Next Posture: Balancing Stick Pose