), Locust Pose
, or Grasshopper Pose
. is an asana
The name comes from the Sanskrit words salaba
(शलभ, Śalabha) meaning "locust", and asana
(आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat".
It is a form of back bend, or spine stretch, using the strength of the upper and middle back to lift the weight of the legs as high as possible from a starting position face down on the floor. Most people find Salabhasana to be a very "strong" i.e. difficult and challenging posture to practice, and as such it not only improves flexibility and coordination, but also has strength and stamina benefits.
Beginners may find that their shoulder and elbow flexibility is not sufficient to allow them to get the hands palm down right underneath the body, or that it is quite uncomfortable or even slightly painful to be in that position.
In the Bikram style of yoga
, the posture referred to as Salabhasana has three stages which follow one after the other. The posture of the same name in the Astanga style of yoga
corresponds to stage three of the Bikram style posture.
Ardha Salabhasana (Half Locust Pose)<ref... Read More