Cobra

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Mihai.

 

I have been doing cobra pose from the Maintaining a Flexible Spine

set. I went back and double checked. It does not specify which one. I

had assumed, and have been doing it, up and down for 3 minutes. I

assumed that because I also do a set in another book by Gurmuk, that

specifies doing it 54 times up and down. I could be wrong though. As

I re-read it now, it sounds like this one may be hold continuous for

2-3 minutes. So I guess I was doing it wrong.

 

Does anyone else know for certain?

 

Christa

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

 

Usually if you are meant to move in a posture, the information is given in the

directions along with the accompanied breath/movement co-ordination. So stay

still in the cobra unless directed.

 

It's quite normal in the beginning that Breath of Fire feels difficult in this

position because you are stretching the muscles in the abdominal area and at the

same time trying to expand and contract them with the breath. So your stomach

will obviously not be able to pump to the extent it can when you do BOF in easy

pose for example. If you can only pump the stomach a little that's ok, start

out by slowing down BOF a little too, then as your body gets used to it, you'll

be able to pump the stomache more and increase the pace of the breath (usually

1-2 breaths per second).

 

Are your hips and pelvis flat on the floor underneath you? They shouldn't be

raising up. If they are raising up or if you are experiencing any back pain,

start of with modified cobra:

 

- you start of the same, raising nose, chin, and then chest up, but instead of

straightening your arms all the way, leave your elbows / forearms and palms of

hands flat on the floor, (continue to stretch the chest face and chin uptowards

the ceiling). Also your shoulders should be relaxed and not up around your

ears.

 

It also helps to relax all the muscles that you are not using to maintain the

posture, particulary the buttocks and legs.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Brightest Blessings,

Krishan Shiva Kaur

 

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[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Mihail,

 

I haven't seen the web page, but I interpret that as maintain for 3 minutes,

but

work up to that if you have to.

"Are there any exercises to correct this, or is there any

alternative?"

I think thats the point, you strengthen the muscles

that apply the lock, from a different angle, you're not using your stomach

muscles to push down.

 

Blessings

 

Brad

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam,

 

I have a couple of questions about the cobra posture:

First, how much time should I mentain it? In the web page it says up to 3

minutes but it's not clear whether I should do it for 3 minutes or mentain

it for 3 minutes. I also have difficulties in doing a root lock while in

cobra. It's very difficult for me to contract the navel (I can barely move

those muscles). Are there any exercises to correct this, or is there any

alternative?

 

Thanks,

Mihai

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your advice. It really helps. I'll do this modified cobra for

a while then try again with the complete one.

 

Many thanks,

Mihai

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Christa and thanks for your encouragement. Glad to hear how much you

love KY too!

 

I know the camel (I do it from time to time both with feet tucked and flat)

but it's not the same. You know the cobra pose illustrated on the site ie

torso effectively vertical, head tilted back; well the "full monty" is that

pose but in addition, your knees are bent so that your feet touch the top of

your head! How's that for a contortion? It completes a loop but I don't know

if KY practitioners would do this. Ultimately, we all know that yoga is not

about how much better we are v someone else and all that competitive

silliness but I'm keen to get my back as flexible as possible. Yogis say our

apparent age and quality of life really are linked to the flexibility of our

spine. My Mum's a good example, she has some arthritis in some joints and

has quite a curved spine. She manages but sometimes she's in quite a lot of

pain. I see so many people with back problems and I truly believe yoga can

help us all.

 

Matt

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Hi Matt,

 

Welcome, to the Cobra! I am trying to master this

position with the bent legs as well. I am very

flexible but have trouble with this one, with the

small of my back warning me...but over a period of

time most exercises do become easier. also realize

that if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen, no

contest with the universe here... just do it to the

best of your abilities..the spine is the key to

health,vitality, keep going. BOF helps facilitate the

postures

too!

 

Linda

 

 

--- "pearson,matthew"

<matthew.pearson wrote:

>

.. You know the cobra pose

> illustrated on the site ie

> torso effectively vertical, head tilted back; well

> the "full monty" is that

> pose but in addition, your knees are bent so that

> your feet touch the top of

> your head!

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

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