Camatkarasana - Wild Thing Pose

Camatkarasana is one of those asanas that taps into a feeling of freedom and just letting go. It is a great heart opener bringing awareness to our Anahata Chakra responsible for love, peace, compassion and acceptance. Which is why it seems fitting that Camatkarasana translates to “the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart”. The word camatkara actually means miracle or surprise in Sanskrit, which is why in my mind it should be called miracle pose, however in yoga classes you will learn to know it as Wild Thing.

This pose will get your heart pumping and when you come out of it you might find you are slightly out of breath. If this is the case then take a break before repeating it on the other side, maybe taking Balasana (child’s pose) to catch your breath.

Benefits of Wild Thing Pose

• Builds strength in the arms and back
• Opens up the chest and shoulders
• Helps relieve tension in the body
• Assists in relieving fatigue
• Promotes mental clarity

Perform Wild Thing Pose

1. Start off in Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog).
2. From there come onto the outer edge of your left foot.
3. Pressing into the left hand, ensuring to draw the shoulder away from the ear, extend the right hand up towards the sky.
4. Release the right foot to the ground behind you placing the toes down and keeping the right knee bent. Straighten the left leg.
5. Lift the hips and draw the chest up opening it towards the sky. Allow the shoulder blades to draw closer together coming into a slight back bend.
6. Keep your gaze on your right hand and continue to press the left hand and left foot into the ground lifting the chest and hips.
7. To come out of the asana bend the left knee, swivel onto the left toes coming back into downward facing dog. If coming back into downward facing dog is not available to you then lower the hips down to the ground coming to seated.

Camatkarasana is a challenging pose requiring strength and balance but once your journey has taken you there it instils a sense of confidence and fearlessness.

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