ustrasana

The name comes from the Sanskrit words {{Lang|sa|उष्ट्र}} {{Lang|sa-Latn|Uṣṭra}}, meaning "camel",{{cite web | url=http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/asana-vinyasa-series/intermediate-series-nadi-shodhana/item/dhanurasana/ |title=Dhanurasana |publisher=AshtangaYoga |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429074013/http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/asana-vinyasa-series/intermediate-series-nadi-shodhana/item/dhanurasana/ |archive-date=29 April 2011 |url-status=dead }} and {{Lang|sa|आसन}} {{Lang|sa-Latn|Asana}}, meaning "posture" or "seat".{{cite book |last=Sinha |first=S. C. |title=Dictionary of Philosophy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-zzRvh1fRzEC&pg=PA18|date=June 1996 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7041-293-9 |page=18}}

A different (standing) pose is given the name Ushtrasana in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi.{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|page=77; plate 9, pose 54}} The modern pose is described in the 20th century by two of Krishnamacharya's pupils, Pattabhi Jois in his Ashtanga (vinyasa) yoga,{{sfn|Sjoman|1999|pages=100-101}} and B. K. S. Iyengar in his 1966 Light on Yoga.{{sfn|Iyengar|1979|pp=87-88}}

File:Ardha Ustrasana - International Day of Yoga Celebration - NCSM - Kolkata 2015-06-21 7352.JPG class in Kolkata practising Ardha Ustrasana, Half Camel pose]]

Ustrasana is a deep backward bend from a kneeling position; the completed pose has the hands on the heels.{{cite web |last1=Pizer |first1=Ann |title=How to Do Camel Pose (Ustrasana) in Yoga |url=https://www.verywellfit.com/camel-pose-ustrasana-3567064 |publisher=Very Well Fit |access-date=25 April 2019 |date=7 February 2019}} The backs of the feet may be flat on the floor, or the toes may be tucked under for a slightly less strong backbend.

The pose is one of the 26 asanas in the Bikram Yoga sequence.{{cite web |url=http://www.bikramyogaposesguide.com |title=26 Bikram Yoga Poses |website=Bikram Yoga Poses Guide |access-date=25 April 2019}}

The name Ardha Ustrasana, Half Camel pose, is given to two different poses. One is an easier modification with the hands on the hips;{{cite web |title=Camel pose modifications, half Camel pose for beginners, ardha ustrasana steps and benefits |url=https://vishwashantiyoga.com/ardha-ushtrasana-half-camel-pose.html |publisher=Vishwanti Yoga |access-date=26 July 2019}} the other has one hand on the heel on the same side, as in the full pose, and the other arm stretched back over the head.{{cite web |title=Half Camel: Ardha Ustrasana |url=https://www.yogabasics.com/asana/half-camel/ |publisher=Yoga Basics |access-date=26 July 2019}}

The pose can be modified by providing supports such as yoga bricks beside the calves for the hands.{{cite book | last=Swanson | first=Ann | title=Science of yoga : understand the anatomy and physiology to perfect your practice | publisher=DK Publishing | publication-place=New York, New York | year=2019 | isbn=978-1-4654-7935-8 | oclc=1030608283 | pages=76–79}}

• List of asanas

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book |last=Iyengar |first=B. K. S. |author-link=B. K. S. Iyengar |year=1979 |orig-year=1966 |title=Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika |publisher=Unwin Paperbacks |isbn=978-1855381667 }}
• {{cite book |last=Sjoman |first=Norman E. |author-link=Norman Sjoman |title=The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace |title-link=The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1999 |orig-year=1996 |isbn=81-7017-389-2}}

{{Asana}}

{{Yoga as exercise}}

Category:Backbend asanas