DHANAURASANA - The Bow

December 2008

www.LisaTDaniel.com

DHANAURASANA - The Bow

The Bow focuses on the pancreas, adrenals, digestive system, and muscles. It helps to massage the abdominals and the solar plexus and stimulate digestion. The verb and energy of this pose can be best described as “I can”.

This pose expands the chest and mobilizes the entire spinal column. The Bow Pose is a good exercise to improve posture and strengthen the back muscles.

Emotionally speaking, the energy of Bow has to do with "belonging." If your energy is open you will feel a belonging to everything and firmly grounded within the universe. A deeply fulfilling emotional life is a result of the energy flow from this pose.

If you feel closed or blocked in this area, and not quite understanding deeper meanings of emotions, or a connectedness to a higher or greater purpose in life, then practicing Bow would benefit you.
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Begin by lying flat on your tummy with your chin or forehead on the ground.

Bend your knees and allow your feet to come close to your buttocks. Reach back and hold your ankles.

Squeeze your buttocks and press your pubic bone and hip bones downward.

Lift your head and chest. Press your feet back into your hands, helping you lift the front of your body. Your thighs may come off the ground allowing you to lift your chest even higher. Raise your knees further by pulling your ankles with your hands.

Continue breathing regularly and try to increase the stretching in the chest and the backward bend for a relaxed body and mind.

Breathe while in the posture and hold the posture for 1 minute.
To release the posture, first lower your legs and release the grasp of the ankles. Release your legs, chest and head. Relax. You may still feel the pulsing of energy in your belly.

“My Mind and Body are completely one with the universe. I am open, flexible and strong.”