Cobra Pose: Snake Your Way to Skinny

Article posted in: Fitness

According to the Yoga Journal, “Buhjangasana,” or Cobra pose, was traditionally believed to “increase body heat, destroy disease and awaken kundalini.” Wow. While, we might not go that far today, there is some power behind this yoga move. Cobra can be beneficial for those with asthma and sciatica, as well as for those who just need a little stress-reducing comfort.

This yoga pose opens up the chest, provides a great stretch to the ab region and even works to strengthen your shoulders and glutes. The best part of all? Drumroll, please… It’s a cinch to learn! Try it out after an intense ab session to loosen up and lengthen the muscles in your stomach.

Targets:

  • Chest
  • Shoulders
  • Abdominals
  • Back
  • Glutes

Benefits of Cobra

  • Works to open and stretch chest
  • Stretches and helps to strengthen shoulders
  • Stretches and helps to strengthen abdominal region
  • Helps strengthen glutes
  • May help enhance flexibility
  • Can help alleviate back pain
  • Can help with asthma

Tips:

  • Remember to keep breathing throughout the pose, paying close attention to the steady movement of air in and out of your body.

Warnings

  • Talk to your doctor before performing Cobra if you are pregnant or have a back injury, headache or carpal tunnel.
  • Do not attempt to overextend the body. This may cause injury to the back.
  • Perform pose on a soft surface and stop at any point, if you experience pain.

 

*Information derived from the Yoga Journal and YogaOutlet.