Wild Thing Pose – Camatkarasana

About the pose

In Sanskrit, ‘camatka’ = ‘astonished’ or ‘surprised’. Giving more emphasis to this word it reads as ‘ a miracle’. Camatkarasana in English is read as the Wild Thing Pose. This pose is a single hand balance pose that focuses on a backbend. A deep stretch to the spine taking it in a curve which is just the opposite of how the body looks like in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose).

Why astonished or surprised?

Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose), creates a feeling like ‘this stretch feels so good, astonished with the energy it gives!!’. A backbend that stretches the heart, chest, upper abdomen and neck, that creates a gushing flow of joy. One feels intoxicated with the practice of this yoga pose, and hence the name Wild Thing Pose. In order to get the best from this posture in Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose), one needs to work on the strength of the shoulders and the arms.

Given below are the step-by-step instructions to follow for the practice of Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose):

• From Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose) inhale and take the left foot back as you twist the hips and place the right foot firmly on the ground.
• Bending the left leg place the left foot on the balls of the foot with the heels raised off the floor. While doing this the chest and hips are gently turned upward with the help of the rotation of the left shoulders and the twist of the left side of the hips.
• Exhale and take the left hand extending behind and gently throw the head back. The torso along with the neck is in a backbend as you balance on the right hand, right foot and the balls of the left foot.
• Stay here keeping the body light with the neck in a backbend and without putting pressure on the right hand and wrist. Breath slow and deep to remain in balance for about 4-6 breaths.
• To release, turn the head looking straight, bring the back foot in front and placing the hands on the floor come to Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose).
• Take a few breaths to extend the hips and back for about 3-4 breaths.
• From here, turn towards the left side balancing on the left arm to go into Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose). Follow the same steps to go into Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose) taking the torso in a backbend as you balance on the left hand, left foot and the balls of the right foot.
• Release and relax to come to Balasana (Child Pose).

Benefits

• This is a great pose for strengthening and toning the arms, and legs.
• It also tests your balance helping to improve focus and concentration
• It provides you with a different sensation of inversion and expansion at the same time
• It is great for curing depression

Watch out for

All backbends needs a careful understanding of the movement of the body along with the breathing. Given below are a few precautions to keep in mind with the practice of Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose).

1. Injury: Stay away from the practice of Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose) if one is suffering from injury of the wrist, shoulder, neck, elbows and back. Even if the injury is completely healed, make sure guidance from a yoga teacher is taken for the practice of this pose.
2. Migraine: Avoid the practice of Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose) if suffering from migraine as the fall of the head and the neck may create more pressure towards the brain with the sudden gushing of the flow of blood.
3. Heart related problems: Not only those who have had surgery related to the heart should avoid this practice, but those who have had problems related to the heart should completely avoid Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose).
4. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The pressure that the elbow takes along with the wrists may worsen the nerves that are related to the median nerve, compressing it. Hence best to avoid the practice.
5. Blood Pressure: Avoid the practice of this yoga pose if one is suffering from blood pressure, as the sudden flow of blood towards the heart and the head in the opposite direction may not be safe, leading the body to lose control in balance.
6. Lack of control or balance of the body: To get into Camatkarasana (Wild Thing Pose) is far easier than when releasing from the yoga pose. To release from the pose, the sudden turning of the body requires one to understand the body weight. Using that knowledge helps to control the body. Hence if one lacks this, it may cause injury when releasing.

FURTHER READINGS

• The complete yoga teachers’ guide – How to learn, earn & grow
• Free yoga resources – eBooks, music, asanas
• Yoga mat quiz – Which yoga mat is the best for me?
• Understanding about yoga

Variations

• Bring the foot of your upper leg onto the inner thigh (into Tree pose) keep the hips lifted high and push through the lower leg to keep it strong.
• To come into the full variation of the pose, exhale and bend your upper leg. Hook your big toe with your fingers, inhale and straighten your leg to the sky.

Credits