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Ustrasana Class 1

14 mins

In this class of Ustrasana (Camel Pose), David breaks down the transition, setup, and key principles that make this backbend both safe and powerful. Starting from Downward Dog into a crouch and leap to kneeling, you’ll learn how to establish a neutral foundation—Samasthiti on your knees—before entering the pose head first. David emphasizes the mantra “Limbs stop, spine goes” to help you ground your thighs, shins, and arms so that your spine can lift and expand freely without shearing in the lower back. Common pitfalls—like overemphasizing the hips or letting the knees splay—are addressed with modifications and wall-supported variations. Through clear demonstrations and principles, you’ll discover how to: Create vertical, grounded lines through the arms and legs. Minimize counterweighting with the hips to protect the spine. Use stepwise drills and props (wall, blocks, toe-tucked variations) to refine the posture. Awaken your spine into a tall, dome-like extension while maintaining steadiness (sthira) and sweetness (sukha). This class shows that Ustrasana is more than just a backbend—it’s a lifelong foundational posture that integrates grounding, breath, and inner lift into every practice Model - Delara Tiv (Ashtanga Vevey)