Every time I go to a vinyasa class, I can’t help but wonder why we do so many Chaturangas, the yoga push ups. This pose requires so much upper body, arm and core strength, it does not feel easy. So, naturally Chaturanga is one of the poses that I need to just get done to move on to the next pose. I know it is not the yogic state of mind to wait for a pose to get over, but to be in the moment and to know what is going on in this pose felt out of reach.

The appreciation for this pose came on way later after I read the article on push ups in New York Times. The push up is a symbol of health and wellness; I did not know that until this article came along. The yoga push up is slightly different from the western push up, but the idea that such a pose is integral to one’s health was a revelation to me.

I needed to find ways to make this pose enjoyable. I come across what is known as bandhas (translated from Sanskrit to English as locks). When a pose is done with such an awareness of the uddiyana bandha which involves using the core muscles that are close to the spine, the pose feels completely different. Pulling in the belly is pretty close to what uddiyana bandha is. Along with this, using the feet also comes in handy. Chaturanga feels completely different when the arms, feet and the bandhas all come to play together. It even feels like a fun pose.

To do the Chaturanga, come into a plank pose, hands directly below the shoulders, palms on the floor with fingers splayed wide. On an exhale, engage your arms, feet (toes in the floor and heels pressing back) and lift from the abdomen upward (which is pretty close to the idea of uddiyana bandha) while preventing the back from rounding until the upper body is at the height of the shoulder joint. The hands do not splay out; instead they stay close to the body. Stay here for a few breaths before moving on to upward facing dog pose or child’s pose.

Do a few Chaturangas every day in your practice and there will come a day where you will actually be looking forward to Chaturangaaah!