Pose: Wheel Pose
Sanskrit: Chakrasana
Chakrasana or Urdhva Dhanurasana is an asana in yoga as exercise. It is a backbend and is the first pose of the finishing sequence in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. It gives great flexibility to the spine. In acrobatics and gymnastics this body position is called a bridge.
Benefits:
Wheel pose strengthens your arms, wrists, abdomen, legs, shoulders and chest, so expect smooth, toned muscles. This pose opens up the chest and allows increased amounts of oxygen into the rib cage, which can help with respiration. Studies have shown that wheel induces therapeutic effects in practitioners with asthma.
Safety and Precautions
You should not do Wheel Pose if you have had an injury or chronic problem with your knees, wrists, shoulders, neck, or back. Don’t force your body into the pose before it is flexible enough to do so without straining. Bend back only as far as you can naturally.