Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Sat Nam everyone! I was trying to do a new set last night, and one of the postures was camel pose. There was a photo with a description. I was able to get into the position easy enough, but I never felt like I 'got my head' positioned correctly. In the text, it says to drop the head back. But the photo looked like it was slightly elevated so that the eyes were able to comfortably see the ceiling. I tried both positions, but couldn't hold either one. If I dropped my head back all the way, I felt like I was crunching my neck, it was very uncomfortable and I was afraid I would hurt my neck if I held the position. When I raised my head enough so that it was back, but more facing up than back, the weight was too much for me to hold and it would either begin to fall completely back or to the sides. I could also feel myself tense up in this position. And that could have been the reason I couldn't hold it. What is the correct position for the head in this pose? Perhaps I just need to strengthen my neck muscles to hold/support my head for one minute. Thanks! Christa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Christa, Just to let you know, Camel Pose, right off the top is a very challenging position, I don't see many people in my classes able to do the whole she-bang. Like you said it requires a strong, stable, well aligned neck and back, gleut, hamstring muscles as well as plenty of flexibility through the anterior of the body, especially the front of the pelvis/hips and neck! The pose is with the neck extended, but you can vary it if it is causing pain/discomfort. You could keep the chin tucked in (neck flexed forward) to any degree that is comfortable, you might choose to begin with the neck extended a bit to develope some neck strenght and then when the neck fatigues draw the head upright again. When the neck feels "crunched" think about lenghtening through the neck (creating space between the vertebra) as you extend. Sometimes we end up having to do quite a few variations until we can build up enough strenght or flexibility to enter a posture fully on some of the more challenging postures. Just remembering that your goal is to move towards the full posture, to get the full benefit. Goodluck! Ha! I remember in this one class, alot of people had weak low backs and abs, so I gave them the option of lifting only one leg for stretch pose at a time...well 10 weeks later... the're still only lifting one leg! Finally, I had to tell them it was time to take the plunge, it had been 10 weeks of warming up to the full posture, it was time to get wet! I said even if you can only hold it for 10 seconds at a time and then rest a moment, go for it! How did you find the rest of the posture? Okay? Camel pose puts me through the wringer! I made the mistake of telling my teacher that I did not in fact enjoy camel pose (I ask my self, why can't I keep my mouth shut??) because of course he then suggested that it would be a good idea for me to do 108 camel pose a day! (he suggested going from gurpranam to camel,alternating back and forth) I looked at him like he was nuts! I completely ignored this advice for about a year and a half, then I was reading reading Guruchanders book on Numerology and working my numbers out etc. and saw that CAMEL POSE ,ugh!, developes the pranic body! And My Karma and Destination #'s are 8 (the Pranic Body). So long story short, I took up a 40 day practice of Camel Pose. WOW! Could I do Bow pose much better after that! Anyways, that's what I know about it, much luck, Sat Sangeet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Thanks for the feedback Sat Sangeet. So, if I understand what you are saying, I can 'work up' to full posture, but alternating the head back and the head upright. Is that correct? As for the rest of the pose, I was fine with it. I'm pretty flexible, so the stretching in the rest of my body felt good and refreshing, not painful or anything like that. It was just my neck that was causing problems. The set that I'm doing now also includes Bow pose. And as I'm writing this, I'm feeling a bit dumb. BUT, I'll ask anyway. What do you find challenging about Bow pose? I'm now concerned that I'm not doing something correctly. I can do the pose easily enough. My legs get a bit tired towards the end, but that's it. I should also mention that I only do these for 1 minute each. Maybe you were referring to holding them for longer? Thanks again! Christa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Dear Christa and All, Be very careful of your neck. All the way back may just be too much. The only days I can do that comfortably is when I wash my hair and I am not wearing a turban. We are not supposed to crunch the neck and this is why we do not do neck rolls all the way back. The neck lock and extending the neck are good ideas to take you to the maximum position for you. It is good you are being vary careful. As your neck muscles strengthen you will find the postion that works for you. Strengthen your neck muscles with other exercises thatn this one. SAt Nam, Gururattan Kaur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Thanks Gururattan. I tend to be more on the conservative side when it comes to my neck. So I really didn't push it much. But I find it very difficult even holding my head/neck parallel to the floor in this pose. The weight is too much. Is it ok to hold the head more upright with the rest of the body in this pose? Also, what do you suggest to do to strengthen the neck muscles? I'm assuming stretch pose would be a good one for this. Anything else? Christa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 Dear Christa, Is it ok to hold the head more upright > with the rest of the body in this pose? Yes > > Also, what do you suggest to do to strengthen the neck muscles? I'm > assuming stretch pose would be a good one for this. Anything else? Raising the head while doing leg lifts. Just a few each day. SAt Nam, Gururattan Kaur > > Christa > > > > > "OUR DESTINY IS TO BE HAPPY" > - Yogi Bhajan > > You can UNSUBSCRIBE from this list at the Groups Member Center (My Groups), or send mail to > Kundaliniyoga > NO UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS TO THE LIST PLEASE! > WEB SITE: kundalini yoga > > KUNDALINI YOGA ON-LINE TRAINING. Details from > kundalini yogaclasses.html > > Sponsored by YOGA TECHNOLOGY - Practical Books & Videos on Kundalini Yoga & Meditation. Also Meditation & Mantra CDs. > > Your use of is subject to > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2003 Report Share Posted January 7, 2003 In general (not only for the neck exercises) before making the asanas or poses is very important to "warm your body up"... any exercises with your arms, bows, static cycling you make or with the typical gymnastics kind of movements will make you run your blood all over the place including the neck muscles... you will find much easier to move and relax your pain or even making non-exist.. this is specialy true in the mornings of course... san nam Luis MArtin ----------------- Ya tenemos Lotería de NAVIDAD, descúbrelo aquí: http://loteria.ozu.es ----------------- Correo enviado desde http://www.ozu.es Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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