Who doesn’t love a good heart opener?! Backbends are amazing to counteract slouching. This week’s pose of the week is a Salabhasana, Locust Pose. This backbend strengthens the back body while giving the front body an expansive opening.
Benefits:
Stretched the whole front body. Strengthens the whole back body.
How to:
- Begin on your belly with your forehead on the mat, legs extended long hip distance apart with tops of feet on the floor.
- Place your hands long by your sides palms facing down on the mat
- Press the public bone and navel into the mat.
- Lift the feet, knees, thighs off the mat
- Engage the low belly and the glutes as you lift the chest, arms and forehead off the mat.
- Arms are straight with fingers towards the heels
- Press the shoulder blades into the back of the heart as you open across the chest.
- Gaze forward slightly .
- Exhale release back onto the mat, hands frame the bottom ribs and press back into child’s pose.
Modify it:
If there is compression in the neck then gaze at the mat. If you are new to this shape then start by lifting one leg at a time.