Bridge Pose
Setubandhasana; setu=bridge, bandha=bind /lock. So as the name suggests the pose resembles a bridge. Here the entire spine is so beautifully curved and away from the floor/mat , which causes a bridge. As the effect of this pose is more to do with the spine , it sure works on toning the muscles around the spine. This pose can be categorised under the Intermediate Level of Asanas and under the lying down category. This pose cannot be described as just the raising of the spine and balancing it there half way in the air. This pose has a lot of scientific benefits to it when compared to other asanas. The alignment of the body right from the feet to the head should be understood well to ensure the maximum benefit of this pose. The flow of this pose is as follows.
Bridge Pose is considered a base pose as bridge pose variations can be derived from this pose.Bridge Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in flow yoga sequences.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pose Detail
- Body Position: Abdominal Up
- Difficulty: Beginners
- Poses According To Their Functions: Physical Training
- Strengthening Yoga Poses: Poses For Legs Strengthening
- Yoga Poses For Your Organs: Poses for Your Bladder, Poses for Your Lungs, Poses for Your Pelvis
- Poses for Your Spine Flexibility: Poses for Your Chest Flexibility, Poses for Your Lower Back Flexibility, Poses for Your Neck Flexibility
- Yoga Poses for Flexibility: Poses for Your Spine Flexibility
- Physical Training: Strengthening Yoga Poses
- Poses By Benefit: Yoga Poses for Anxiety and Panic Attack, Yoga Poses for Back Pain, Yoga Poses for Depression, Yoga Poses for Digestion, Yoga Poses for Fatigue, Yoga Poses for Infertility, Yoga Poses for Insomnia, Yoga Poses for Menopause, Yoga Poses for Menstruation, Yoga Poses for Sciatica and Nerve Pain, Yoga Poses for Sinusitis, Yoga Poses for Stress
Benefits and Contraindications
Stretches the chest, neck, and spine
Stimulates abdominal organs, lungs, and thyroid
Rejuvenates tired legs
Improves digestion
Reduces anxiety, fatigue, backache, headache, and insomnia
Calms the brain and helps alleviate stress and mild depression
Therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and sinusitis
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
Relieves menstrual discomfort when done supported
Neck injury: avoid this pose unless you are practicing under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
Women who are pregnant should avoid this as a lot of pressure is put to the lower abdomen and the internal organs thus making breathing difficult which can be harmful for the fetus.
Weak stomach or intestine
Injured back or a sore back
Knee replacement or if the stage of osteoporosis is severe
Photo poses in different angles
Tips
- Take your time working on lifting up into Bridge with control. You might like to practise coming in and out of the pose a few times first before holding the pose for a few breaths.
- Pay close attention to your knees, don’t allow them to fall out wider than your feet as you rise upwards. If you find this happens you can squeeze a yoga block between your thighs as you come up.
- Bridge Pose Blanket Chair Variation Feet Upright
- One Legged Bridge Pose Block Under Sacrum
- Bridge Pose Variation Elbows
- Bridge Pose Variation Toes
- Bridge Pose Variation Straight Legs At Wall
- Supine Pelvic Tilt Tuck
- Bridge Pose Variation Arms Out Block
- Bridge Pose Sacrum Block
- One Legged Bridge Pose Chair
- Bridge Pose Block Chair
- Wind Release Pose
- Boat Pose
- Seated Forward Bend Pose
- Wind Release Pose
- Wheel Pose
- One-Legged Bridge Pose
