My theme for this year’s #atozchallenge is – 26 Yogasana. So brace yourself for 26 days of stretching, backbends and inversions, as I take you along my upside down evenings, sincerely hoping that you will find these posts helpful 🙂
Chaturanga Dandasana – Low Plank
It might look all nice and calm but as soon as I transition into this pose there are numerous thoughts flying in my head – keep elbows perpendicular, body straight, core … engage core… breathe… don’t forget to breathe. If you have just started doing this, I can only say keep practicing. Don’t lose heart, because like all other poses, this too comes over a period of time, when your arms become stronger and is able to hold the weight.
My Chaturanga Dandasana is still in progress as I am trying to build more strength in my arms to go a bit lower without losing the alignment.
Lean only as much as you can. Don’t force yourself as you might end up collapsing your chest which can lead to improper alignment. Keeping a Yoga block beneath the chest is also a great way to keep your body straight. Here’s a great article I found – here
Another option is to practice this on your knees, similar to knee push ups.
I have noticed that you can do pushups more easily when your elbows are flared out. Being the Yoga girl that I am, I keep my elbows closer to the body, which makes the pushups a tad difficult. And this, is the biggest contention between my husband and I as we both argue on the correct way to do push ups. 😛
Disclaimer: I am not an Instructor or Yoga teacher, only a regular Hatha Yoga practitioner who is passionate about fitness. I am writing this series to detail my learning and experience during the practice. Please consult a Physician/Doctor before starting any exercise regime as some of the poses might contradict with your existing medical issues, for example injuries related to spinal cord, knee, ankle, wrists, neck, medical conditions like Migraine, Diabetics, Asthma etc.
Stay Strong and Humble! Namaste.
Previous Posts:
A: Always Stretch – Anjaneyasana
B: Being a Wannabe Crow
C: Chakrasana
Does sleeping count as down and low? 😛
I always liked doing planks as they worked so many muscle groups at once, but I can’t do them much anymore. I developed arthritis in the joint between my sternum and collarbone and the weight bearing is difficult.I mostly do this one with my knees down now and still can’t hold it for very long. Donna Girl Who Reads
Finally something that i can say I can do – I do planks at times to engage the core – ut only till the plank position – no push ups!
I am joining yoga classes from next week. See you have inspired me so much Raj. Thanks 🙂
I’m so glad that I found your blog! Its very informative… specially the yoga posts! Thank you so much for sharing <3 Have a great day 🙂
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My husband and Gy love planks. Because they can actually DO them, you see 😛 Me, I shall watch and cheer them on. Nope, not going to try this even though I love you very very much 😉
I think I can do this, What say? 🙁
I have a weak back, so I’m generally wary about asanas that could put pressure on my back. This one requires a lot of effort in keeping the back absolutely straight I guess. Love your dedication for yoga. 🙂
Ooooo, lovely thank you. I will give it a try … and go back and look at all your interesting posts. Susan
http://www.gardenofedenblog.com
Great post. This looks like a plank but a bit of different in elbow positioning. I have started learning yoga. Haven’t come to this asana till now. 🙂
Not done this, not done push ups either! Will give it a shot, if ever I get back to Yoga in this lifetime! 😛
Cheers
Chaturanga is definitely a challenge for those of us who don’t have so much upper body strength. I agree with you about the elbows – close to the body.
Plank is the most advised exercises these days, and with so much benefits I think chaturangasana should also be included in my daily schedule, Thanks Rajlakshmi, as always you have done it to perfection
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Looks so close to planks! And for once, a little easy!
Oh right! Like pushups!
I can’t bend my elbows much when doing this. Can’t get them to 90 degrees. And I can’t do more than 3 reps at one go. But, as you said, we need to practice regularly, right? And I don’t do that!
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Impressed a lot with your Yoga skills, Get to learn a lot
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this is one pose I do attempt 🙂
I think I will just gather all information from your posts and file it in my brain for usage in some other life 😀
Is this a variation of plank? I am trying to improve my plank timing. Haven’t reached the 1min mark yet.
Interesting…this looks like the mid-plank. I can plank for about a minute and a half in my elbows but haven’t done this. Oh and if you do push ups with your arms closer to your body, you’re still working out your triceps 😊