This entry was posted on Might 1, 2024 by Charlotte Bell.
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose) is one in all yoga’s most versatile poses. After I studied with B.Ok.S. Iyengar in India, variations of Bridge Pose have been a go-to. For these of us who by chance ingested parasites, Supported Bridge Pose was therapeutic. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana ready our again, shoulders and quads for Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) and Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow Pose). By itself, Bridge Pose expands the entrance physique whereas it strengthens again muscular tissues. Training with a Yoga Sandbag ups the ante, offering resistance to problem the again muscular tissues even additional.
“Bridging” can be a staple of core work in energy coaching. As with yoga, there are many variations. You’ll be able to apply it with ft on the bottom or on an train ball. Or you possibly can apply lifting into Bridge on one leg—on or off an train ball. And you’ll add barbells or weighted bars. I’ve practiced all these variations, and I desire the steadiness and flexibility of a Yoga Sandbag to conventional weights.
There are a pair causes that Yoga Sandbags work properly on this capability. First, they mildew to your physique, so they have a tendency to remain put in your hip joints. You don’t have to carry them in place such as you do with conventional weights. Second, you possibly can add or subtract sand to search out the proper weight on your apply. As my again has gotten stronger, I now use a 10-pound sandbag on every thigh for a complete of 20 kilos. However I’d suggest beginning through the use of a single sandbag as pictured above.
The right way to Observe Bridge Pose with a Yoga Sandbag
- Collect your props: Yoga Mat, Yoga Sandbag and a Yoga Strap. You could or could not wish to use a strap, however have one shut by, simply in case.
- Knees are likely to splay out to the perimeters in Bridge Pose, so that you would possibly wish to apply with a Yoga Strap. Putting a Yoga Strap round your thighs may also help you retain your thighs parallel.
- Lie in your again in your mat together with your knees bent and the soles of your ft on the ground.
- Place the Yoga Sandbag in your hip joints, the crease the place the thighs meet your pelvis.
- Place your arms shut in to your sides and bend your elbows in order that your forearms are vertical.
- Press your elbows into the ground and arch your lumbar backbone away from the ground.
- Lengthen your arms alongside your physique.
- Lengthen your knees out, away out of your pelvis, as when you’re lengthening your quads. This may provoke the raise of your backbone off the ground.
- Now raise your hips up towards the sky, adjusting the sandbag if needed in order that it stays in your hip joints.
- Clasp your arms beneath you, or maintain a strap between your arms in order that your arms are parallel.
- Floor your arms and shoulders to assist broaden your chest, and proceed to stretch the knees out away from the pelvis.
- Maintain for five to 10 deep breaths.
- Launch the pose and return to mendacity in your again together with your knees bent. Repeat as many instances as you want.
- An alternative choice: Be at liberty to apply repetitions, lifting into Bridge Pose on the exhalation, inhaling within the pose, and exhaling as you decrease down. Observe 10 to twenty repetitions, staying within the pose for only one inhalation.
About Charlotte Bell
Charlotte Bell found yoga in 1982 and commenced instructing in 1986. Charlotte is the creator of Conscious Yoga, Conscious Life: A Information for On a regular basis Observe and Yoga for Meditators, each printed by Rodmell Press. Her third e-book is titled Hip-Wholesome Asana: The Yoga Practitioner’s Information to Defending the Hips and Avoiding SI Joint Ache (Shambhala Publications). She writes a month-to-month column for CATALYST Journal and serves as editor for Yoga U On-line. Charlotte is a founding board member for GreenTREE Yoga, a non-profit that brings yoga to underserved populations. A lifelong musician, Charlotte performs oboe and English horn within the Salt Lake Symphony and folks sextet Pink Rock Rondo, whose DVD gained two Emmy awards in 2010.