Wild Thing Pose (Sanskrit: Camatkarasana / चमत्कारासन)

A refreshing heart-opening asana, Camatkarasana is also known as the Wild Thing Pose or the Flip Dog Pose. It is called the Wild Thing because after practicing this pose many practitioners feel a sense of freedom, joy, self-love, and fearlessness. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Camatka’ means a surprise or a miracle. Practiced on a single hand, it stretches the spine and works on the arms and shoulders.

Instructions for Doing the Wild Thing Pose

1. Start by getting into the final position of Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) with your four limbs firmly placed on the floor and your legs stretched out straight.
2. Shift your weight to your right hand and then roll onto your right foot as if you are doing the Side Plank Pose.
3. Exhale, and step your left foot backward and rest your toes on the floor while keeping your knee slightly bent.
4. Now, inhale and lift your hips a bit higher and at the same time, deepen the backbend.
5. Throw your head back and extend your left arm.
6. Hold this position for 5 to 15 breaths, breathing normally, without any jerks.
7. To release the asana, come back to step 1’s position (Downward-Facing Dog) and then repeat the other side. Again, hold for another 5 to 15 breaths and then relax.

Benefits of Doing the Wild Thing Pose

• This asana stretches and tones the spine, chest, shoulders, arms, hamstrings, neck, psoas, and thighs.
• It builds upper body strength and improves spinal mobility and flexibility.
• This pose helps relieve tension and reduces chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Camatkarasana builds the core strength and improves the function of the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs.
• It also boosts the immune system as well as the digestive system.
• Your sense of balance increases and you feel calm and relaxed.

Precautions

• Do not practice this asana if you have a wrist, cuff, shoulder, neck, elbow, knee, ankle, spinal, or rib injury.
• Those with carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, sciatica, or a serious heart ailment should also refrain from practicing this asana.