Traditional Insights into Yoga: Dhanurasana, Bow Pose
Traditional Insights into Yoga: Dhanurasana, Bow Pose Mally Paquette
We are the age of our spines. The flexibility of the spine determines our strength and overall health. This pose is a bit challenging, but it can be modified by keeping your knees on the ground. Bow pose is excellent for lengthening the quadricep muscles and psoas and for expanding the spinal nerve roots and pelvic bones. This classic posture is also beneficial to the adrenals.
On an esoteric level, the bow pose activates sushumna (the central spinal column), which brings great clarity and revelation. This hidden channel can only be stimulated with the balance of ida, the feminine energy (the Moon), and pingala, the masculine energy (the Sun). Once this sacred channel of passage for the kundalini is opened, the body receives enormous amounts of light from the universe.
The bow pose connects us to solar energies, delivering revelations of cosmic knowledge. Practitioners can gradually find solace in this back-bending pose, but acceptance and breath are key. Transformational energies are always available. We can enjoy the gifts of open hearts that surrender us off the Earth plane, lifting us to the heavens to receive shifts in consciousness.