1. Shoot the Bow
The shooting bow pose in yoga gets its name from the form your body takes during this pose. You see the best results if you imagine that you are an archer steadily pulling back on the bow to hit the target in front of you. An archer is always steady with his bow, and you should also remain steady with your pose. This imagination technique helps you meditate into a calm atmosphere and it improves your ability to hold this pose.
2. Conform Like a Bow and Arrow
To execute the shooting bow pose, sit on the floor with your legs together and straight in front of you. Imagine you must balance a fragile dish on your head; this helps keep your back straight, your head straight and your shoulders level. Put the palms of your hands on top of your thighs, and take a deep breath. Let the breath out, and grab the big toe of your right foot with your right forefinger. Hold your left foot with your left hand. Take another deep breath while pulling your right foot towards your right ear. Keep your back as straight as possible, and hold this pose until you need to let the breath out. Exhale, then repeat on the opposite side.
3. Hold It to Feel It
Hold your shooting bow pose at least 30 seconds once your toe approaches your ear. Try not to think about the time passing; instead, focus on calming thoughts and atmospheres. It's possible to hold this pose for several minutes at a time, but it takes quite a bit of practice to get there.
4. Change It Up
One variation to the standard shooting bow pose involves a simple switch of the arm. Use your right hand to grab your left foot, and pull your left foot towards your left ear, or vise versa. This is a great exercise to work different muscles in your body, and it also helps the right side of your brain work with the left side of your brain.
5. Reap the Benefits
Yoga is known for building long, lean muscles, but there are many more benefits to the shooting bow pose. It revitalizes the muscles and joints in your hands, legs, neck and spine. It also tones up your chest and abdominal area, and expands you chest for increased air capacity. The shooting bow pose also provides cough relief for patients with asthma and tuberculosis. And that's not all, yhis yoga pose helps loin pain, indigestion, constipation, tonsilitis, leg pain, ovary disorders, abdominal pain and irregular menstrual cycles.
Member Comments