SHOULDER PRESSING POSE

Bhujapidasana (buj-uh-peed-AHS-uh-nuh)

BENEFITS OF SHOULDER PRESSING POSE

  • Strengthens arms, shoulders and wrists
  • Increases hip flexibility

SUMMARY OF SHOULDER PRESSING POSE

Shoulder Pressing Pose is an intermediate arm balance whereupon the legs are wrapped outside the shoulders and ankles are crossed at the front. The Sanskrit name reflects the pressing motion applied to the shoulders (“Bhuja” meaning arm or shoulder, “pida” meaning pressure).

SHOULDER PRESSING POSE TUTORIAL

Shoulder Pressing Pose

1.) Start in Mountain Pose at the center of your mat.

Shoulder Pressing Pose

2.) Enter a deep squat with wide knees and place your hands on the mat between your feet. Try to place your shoulders inside of your knees.

Shoulder Pressing Pose

3.) On an exhale, fold a little deeper, bringing the arms between your legs. Maintain the knees bent generously to accommodate this movement. Hug the knees into your arms as you shift your weight forward. Your arms should be bent.

Shoulder Pressing Pose

4.) Once your weight is shifted forward, begin to lift your legs off the mat, crossing over the ankles and flexing your feet. Your goal is to balance your entire body on your arms.

Shoulder Pressing Pose

5.) Keep your elbows bent and hovering over wrists. Slowly transition the weight of your hips back, “sitting” back into your upper arms and elbows. As your feet float up, cross your ankles and flex your feet, pressing the knees and thighs into the shoulders.

Shoulder Pressing Pose

6.) Keep your gaze straight ahead and concentrate on your breaths. Stay in Shoulder Pressing Pose for up to a minute

Shoulder Pressing Pose

7.) To exit the pose, transfer your weight forward, uncrossing the ankles and landing back on your mat.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SHOULDER PRESSING POSE

SHOULDER PRESSING POSE FOR CORE STRENGTH

The hardest part of this pose is the balancing aspect. Our lower body is heavier than the upper body, so sinking the hips back can easily overpower the balance and quite literally drop you on your backside. Sinking the hips back while keeping the knees near the shoulders involves a lot of core engagement, and practicing Shoulder Pressing Pose regularly is going to build that core strength up.

SHOULDER PRESSING POSE FOR INCREASED FOCUS

This pose is often included in Dharma Yoga flows because of its serene quality. Once you have established your centre of gravity and found your balance, lengthen through the front of your torso and direct your awareness within. Try to really focus on your breath and thoughts and soon you’ll find the process quicker and more effortlessly, the more you practise.

Contraindications & Cautions

  • Wrist injury
  • Lower back injury

Modifications & Deepening the Pose

MODIFYING SHOULDER PRESSING POSE FOR BEGINNERS

If you keep losing balance and falling back uncontrollably, consider placing your buttocks on a yoga block or a bolster for support.

MODIFYING SHOULDER PRESSING POSE TO CHALLENGE BALANCE

Shoulder Pressing Pose has an asymmetrical variation with one foot drawn towards the middle while the other leg is straight and extended upwards. Eka Pada Bhujapidasana is more difficult to balance due to uneven weight distribution and would require more core strength and concentration.