Chaturanga Dandasana

This asana means ‘four limb stick pose’ and the aim is to make the body as rigid as a stick, without collapsing in any area. This makes it a highly active asana where opposing forces must be used intelligently to counteract gravity. There is a line that runs throughout the body, keeping the torso, hips and legs with even distribution.  The student has to achieve this straight line, working against gravity. To do this the body must be held rigidly, the pelvis must find its neutral position, and the body has to be stretched out from a central point at the navel, with the upper body held steady while the heels are stretched in the opposite direction. This is what provides the necessary tension – like a pull me push me, keep the body firm and steady.