Like camel posture, standing bow posture seems to exist on the extremes of Bikram practitioners – for some being their favorite posture and for others being their most loathed. Love it or hate it, this posture is a perfect example of the “tourniquet” effect in Bikram yoga, because it transfers circulation from one side of the body to the other and then equalizes it. Standing bow posture is a very comprehensive posture, improving the flexibility and strength of most of the body’s muscles.

Benefits of Standing Bow Pulling Pose

• Stimulates the cardiovascular system
• Increases circulation to the heart and lungs
• Opens diaphragm
• Opens the shoulder joints
• Helps with frozen shoulder conditions
• Improves the elasticity of the spine
• Improves strength and balance firming the abdominal wall and upper thighs while also tightening the upper arms, hips and buttocks
• Increases the size and elasticity of the rib cage and lungs and improves the flexibility and strength of the lower spine
• Helps to reduce abdominal fat
• Standing Bow moves all the blood from one side of the body to the other, then back again.
• It develops balance, increases the size and elasticity of the rib cage, firms the abdominal wall and upper thighs.
• It improves the flexibility and strength of the lower spine.
• Standing Bow builds patience, determination and concentration.
• Increases circulation to the heart and lungs
• Improves elasticity of the spine
• Creates marriage between strength and balance
• Activates digestive system

Tips for Standing Bow Pulling Pose

• Grab the ankle joint and keep a good strong grip using all five fingers
• Start with your knees together
• Raise arm up to and continuously stretch it up toward the ceiling
• Make sure to keep your knee locked
• Charge your body forward
• Feel your spine arching backward as you kick
• Keep imagining seeing your foot coming over the top of your head more and more