Wheel pose is an advanced backbend that stretches the front of the body and strengthens the back of the body. Please be careful as it requires significant strength and flexibility in the back, shoulders and wrists. If you do not feel safe, you can always practice Bridge pose until you feel more comfortable.
WHEEL POSE BENEFITS
- Stretches the hip flexors, abs, intercostals, chest, arms and wrists.
- Strengthens the feet, hamstrings, glutes, hips, back, shoulders, arms and hands.
- Increases spine and shoulder mobility.
- Can help to alleviate lower back and upper back pain.
CATEGORY
SKILL LEVEL
- Advanced
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set-Up
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the mat, hip-width apart. Bring your hands next to your ears with your fingertips pointing back towards your shoulders.
- Action
Inhale, lift up onto the top of your head, hug your elbows in and pause for a moment. Exhale, straighten your arms and legs and push up into Wheel.
- Refinements
Relax your head and neck, keep your thighs parallel and relax your head and neck. Press down into the balls of your big toes to prevent your feet from turning out to the sides.
- Duration
Hold the pose for 3 slow breaths.
- To Release
Tuck your chin and come down onto the back of your neck, before lowering slowly all the way down to the mat. Take a break for a few breaths before you repeat the pose. Bring one hand to your belly and one hand to your chest. Walk your feet out to the edges of the mat and drop both knees slowly left and right to release your lower back.
WARNING
- This is an advanced pose so please make sure that you’re fully warmed up, that you have sufficient strength and flexibility in your shoulders and that you don’t go too deep.
WHEEL POSE PREPARATORY POSES
- Warm up the spine—Bridge
- Open up the shoulders—Puppy
- Open up the thoracic spine—Supported Fish
- Open up the hips—Low Lunge or Lizard
- Engage the upper back—Locust
- Activate the shoulders—Plank
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Avoid Wheel pose if you have any injuries.
Add comment