YanvaYoga > Yoga Poses > Shoulder-Pressing Pose

Shoulder-Pressing Pose - Bhujapidasana

01.02.202302.03.2023

Bhujapidasana, also known as the arm-pressure or Shoulder-Pressing Pose, is an intermediate-to-advanced level move in yoga. The name of the pose comes from three different meanings: Bhuja, which means arm/shoulder, Pida, which means pressure, and Asana, which means pose.

Shoulder-Pressing Pose Basics

Targets: Hands, wrists, elbows, arms, shoulders, upper back, hips, and core
Equipment Needed: Yoga mat and blocks (optional)

Pose Detail

Difficulty: Advanced, Intermediate
By Type: Arm Balance Yoga Poses, Balancing Yoga Poses, Strengthening Yoga Poses
Body Position: Forward Bend Yoga Poses

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Stand with your legs about 2 feet apart. Bend your knees.

Step 2

As you bend down, reach your arms back in between your legs and put your hands behind your heels on the floor. Then stretch your arms around your legs so that your calves press into your upper arms. Press your palms into the mat next to the outsides of your feet. Your fingers should point forward with your thumbs next to your heels.

Step 3

Adjust your thighs to allow them to tuck snugly into the backs of your armpits. You can raise your heels from the mat for a while to help you adjust your thighs into this position. Lean forward and raise your hips. Your thighs should lift to become parallel to the ground.

Step 4

Take a breath. As you exhale, straighten your arms and shift your balance onto your hands. Tighten your core, squeeze your arms with your thighs and slowly lift your feet off of the floor one at a time. Balance on your hands. Lift your feet up a little higher and cross your ankles in the air, hooking the right ankle over the left ankle.

Step 5

Squeeze your knees into your arms to stop your legs from slipping down your arms. Raise your head up to look directly in front of you. Stay here for 30 seconds. Breathe normally. Then on an exhalation, bend your elbows and let your feet come down again.

Step 6

Do the pose again and cross your left ankle over the right ankle in the air this time. Hold the posture for the same duration.

Benefits and Contraindications

Benefits

Stretches the shoulders, triceps, and hip flexors

Tones and stimulates abdominals organs

Strengthens the upper spine musculature

Lengthens the spinal musculature and gluteals

Opens the pelvis and hips

Boosts confidence

Contraindications

Sciatica

Slipped disc

Weak back

Hernia

Heart problems

High blood pressure

Photo poses in different angles

Modifications, Props and Tips

Shoulder-Pressing Pose is very challenging Asana, so don’t challenge yourself until you become perfect in basic Asana. Once you are comfortable with basic level Asana, and then try this with the support of your sitting bones, bolster or block. At first attempt, it seems hard to get into Bhujapidasana but once are ready try doing the following:

Keep the abdominals firm and press through the shoulders for support.
Squeeze the thighs together and press through the palms to extend the arms. Keep the shoulders engaged.
Be cautious of the low spine and hips. Do not strain.
Bind the feet together by wrapping one ankle on top of the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Variations

Firefly Pose
One-Legged Crane Pose 2

Top Prepararory Pose

Top Follow-Up Pose

Standing Split Pose

Rope Pose

Contents