How to Do Wild Thing Pose (Camatkarasana)

Welcome to Dav Jones Yoga guide on Wild Thing Pose! I’m Dav Jones, and I’m here to support you in your yoga journey by offering insights into the practice of yoga, regardless of your level of experience. In this blog, I’ll guide you on how to do Wild Thing Pose (Camatkarasana) safely and its benefits. If you want to grow in your yoga asana practice, you’re in the right place.

Understanding the Wild Thing Pose

Wild Thing Pose, known as the Camatkarasana, is a posture that combines an arm balance and a backbend. This pose provides an opening for the chest area and hip flexor region of the body by expressing its shape by arching the body. By engaging in this yoga asana, Wild Thing Pose can bring flexibility to the spine and build strength in the hips and abdominals.

Wild Thing Pose (Camatkarasana) Basics:

Sanskrit: Camatkarasana

Pronunciation: Cam-at-kar-a-sana

Meaning: The pose that embodies the joy and freedom of the wild, enhances the opening of the heart area.

Warm-Up Poses for Wild Thing Pose

Before attempting the Wild Thing Pose, it’s essential to warm up the body properly to limit the chances of injury. Here are some recommended warm-up postures:

Wrist stretches & warm-up

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

Cat Pose (Marjaryasana)

Parighasana (Gate Pose)

Cow Pose (Bitilasana)

Side Plank (Vasisthasana)

How to do Wild Thing Pose?

The Wild-Thing pose is a fun and energising yoga pose that opens up the chest, shoulders, and hips while strengthening the arms, shoulders, and back. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform the Wild Thing Pose:

Step 1. Foundation and Entry

Begin in Downward Facing Dog. Focus on grounding your hands and spreading your fingers to distribute your weight evenly.
Breathe steadily, preparing your mind and body for the transition.

Step 2. Step to the top of the mat for Low Lunge

Begin in Downward Facing Dog. Focus on grounding your hands and spreading your fingers to distribute your weight evenly. Breathe steadily, preparing your mind and body for the transition. Step to the top of the mat for Low Lunge

Step your right leg forward to the top of the mat for Low Lunge.

Step 3. Pivot all ten toes into Mandala Pose – Preparation for Side Plank.

Pivot all ten toes to the right.
Heel-toe the front foot halfway down the mat for Mandala Pose.
Raise the right arm and look up.

Step 4. Transition into Side Plank (Vasisthasana)

Step the front onto the rear foot for Side Plank.
Turn the fingers of the grounded arm outwards and push through the heel of the hand.
Press the inside-edge of the bottom foot (big toe/inner heel area) into the mat.
Lift the bottom hip upwards.

Step 5. Step behind for Wild-Thing Pose

Slowly step the top foot behind you.
Root down through the inner edge of the left foot
Lift hips upwards and spiral chest towards the ceiling/sky
Gently ease the body in the direction of the opposite long-edge of the yoga mat – this brings a gorgeous stretch into the lateral side of the body.

Step 6. Holding the Pose

Maintain the pose for several breaths. With each inhalation, try to expand your chest and open your heart area more.
With each exhalation, try to deepen the backbend and increase your comfort level in the pose.

Step 7. Carefully exit the pose

To exit the pose, slowly reverse the steps. Bring your right hand back first, followed by your foot, and return to Downward Facing Dog.

Benefits of Wild Thing Pose (Camatkarasana)

Enhancing Respiratory Capacities

The Wild Thing Pose (Camatkarasana) opens up the chest, lungs, and shoulders. This increases lung capacity and improves oxygen intake, which is beneficial for stamina and endurance in athletics and daily activities. Additionally, it promotes better spinal alignment and posture, contributing to efficient breathing.
Strengthening Muscles and Increasing Flexibility

The Wild Thing Pose boosts strength and flexibility in the spine, shoulders and hips. It engages the lower and upper back muscles, as well as the deltoids and rotator cuff muscles of the shoulders.
Improving Hip Flexor and Leg Muscles

Camatkarasana stretches the hip flexors and strengthens leg muscles, involving a lifting and twisting motion. This helps maintain pelvic stability and alignment, enhancing the ability to perform everyday movements efficiently and reducing injury risk. The stretch alleviates stiffness from prolonged sitting.
Boosting Energy and Alleviating Depression

The dynamic nature and backbend of the pose stimulates the nervous system, particularly the sympathetic system, increasing energy levels. It also opens the chest and stimulates the heart chakra (Anahata), helping to release emotional tension and potentially alleviating symptoms of mild depression. This results in increased well-being and reduced stress.

Modification And Props For Wild Thing Pose

Practise the preparatory poses mentioned above. Especially Parighasana (Gate Pose) and Side Plank (Vasisthasana).

Practice getting stronger in holding Plank Pose and Forearm Plank Pose.

Safety and Precautions

Avoid this pose if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or are currently experiencing high blood pressure or a headache.
Be cautious if you have shoulder or neck injuries.
Always perform this pose with a warmed-up body to avoid strains.
Do not attempt this pose without proper supervision if you are new to yoga or unfamiliar with backbends.

Final Thought

We’ve explored Wild Thing Pose, highlighting its steps and benefits for enhancing your yoga asana practice. If you’re interested in deepening your practice, consider joining the Dav Jones online yoga classes on Patreon. If you’re looking for a more tailored/specific approach to your practice, then take a look at the Dav Jones Yoga mentorship program.

FAQs

1. What should I do if I feel unstable in this pose?

Focus on grounding through all parts of the body in contact with the mat. The grounded hand/arm and both feet. Use these points of contact as your pillars of support to bring stability to the pose. Push down and away from the mat through these points of bodily contact.

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How to Do Wild Thing Pose (Camatkarasana)