Wild thing pose - Camatkarasana

Wild thing pose or Camatkarasana is a great heart opening pose, bringing our awareness to the heart chakra, anahata. It stretches the lungs and the arms and also opens the hips and stretches the legs and inner thighs. On a mental level, this asana energises the mind and relieves negative emotional tension and stress.

1. Start in plank
2. Inhale and go into side plank, resting your weight onto the right hand and right foot and stack the left foot on top of the right.
3. Exhale and bring your left foot back and on the floor, bending the left knee.
4. Inhale and extend the left arm back, opening the chest
5. Exhale and sink in deeper, opening the chest even more and letting the head drop back.

* To release out of this pose, inhale and come back into side plank, exhale and return to full plank. Continue doing the same for the other side.
 
Physical benefits:
Opens the hips and the chest
Improves flexibility in the spine
Stretches the digestive organs
Improves balance on the feet
Strengthens the legs
Stretches the arms and shoulder blades
 
Mental benefits:
Releases symptoms of stress and anxiety
Energises the mind
Relieves emotional tension and depression
Opens anahata, the heart chakra
 
Contraindications: (consult this pose with your general medical practitioner if you have the following)
Low or high blood pressure (don’t drop the head back)
Heart conditions