Chaturanga Dandasana is the challenging yoga push-up frequently practiced as part of the traditional Sun Salutation sequence.
(chaht-tour-ANG-ah don-DAHS-anna) chaturanga = four limbs (chatur = four anga = limb) danda = staff (refers to the spine, the central "staff" or support of the body)
Step by Step
Perform Adho Mukha Svanasana, then Plank Pose. Firm your shoulder blades against your back ribs and press your tailbone toward your pubis.
With an exhalation slowly lower your torso and legs to a few inches above and parallel to the floor. There's a tendency in this pose for the lower back to sway toward the floor and the tailbone to poke up toward the ceiling. Throughout your stay in this position, keep the tailbone firmly in place and the legs very active and turned slightly inward. Draw the pubis toward the navel.
Keep the space between the shoulder blades broad. Don't let the elbows splay out to the sides; hold them in by the sides of the torso and push them back toward the heels. Press the bases of the index fingers firmly to the floor. Lift the top of the sternum and your head to look forward.
Chaturanga Dandasana is one of the positions in the Sun Salutation sequence. You can also practice this pose individually for anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. Release with an exhalation. Either lay yourself lightly down onto the floor or push strongly back to Adho Mukha Svanasana, lifting through the top thighs and the tailbone.
If I like it and decide to continue, I'll pay just $15.95, and receive a full one-year subscription (8 issues in all), a 60% savings off the newsstand price!
Otherwise, I'll write cancel on the invoice and owe nothing.
Get FREE Trial Issues Yes! Please send me my 2 FREE trial issues of
Yoga Journal and my TWO FREE GIFTS:
Calm, Cool, Collected: A digital guide to 10 restorative poses that will leave you feeling energized and grounded.
Yoga for Neck & Shoulders: A digital guide to 11 postures that relieve neck, back and shoulder tension.
Pay now and get 2 Bonus Issues!
Pay now and get TWO EXTRA ISSUES FREE! That's 10 issues for the same low price!