{"id":57373,"date":"2020-10-30T07:22:09","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T07:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/georgewatts.org\/lesson-planner\/yoga_pilates_poses\/sphinx-low\/"},"modified":"2022-06-28T13:25:35","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T13:25:35","slug":"sphinx-low","status":"publish","type":"yoga_pilates_poses","link":"https:\/\/georgewatts.org\/lesson-planner\/yoga_pilates_poses\/sphinx-low\/","title":{"rendered":"Sphinx Low"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lie on belly. Legs together. Buttocks firm. Legs active. Elbows under shoulders. Forearms on floor. Lower ribs touching the mat. Head up. <\/p>\n

Sphinx Pose FAQs For Yoga Teachers<\/h2>\n
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What’s the main benefit of the Sphinx pose?<\/h4>\n
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It’s a gentle stretch for the chest, shoulders, and abdominals. It also helps to firm the buttocks, but I think the main benefit is that it helps keep your spine mobile and supple like a bendy Willow tree.<\/p>\n

It also makes the ideal preparation pose for deeper backbends such as cobra pose<\/a>, locust pose<\/a>, and upward facing dog pose<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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How do I teach the Sanskrit of the pose to my students so that they remember it?<\/h4>\n
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Sphine pose in Sanskrit is “Salamba Bhujangasana” which is pronounced Sah-LOM-bah Boo-jahn-GAHS-un-nuh. It is derived from\u00a0 these four Sanskrit words:<\/p>\n

“Sa” = with
\n“Alamba” = support
\n“Bhujanga” = cobra or serpent
\n“Asana” = pose<\/p>\n

If the pose is the “peak pose” for your yoga lesson plan<\/a>, simply ask your students to sing the name of the pose several times during the class (as a mantra). That will help them remember the Sanskrit name, and also has the added benefit of bringing smiles to your students (who love collective mantras).<\/p>\n
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What are your top 7 teaching tips for Sphinx pose?<\/h4>\n
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Tip 1: Elbows Under<\/strong>
\nPosition the elbows directly under the shoulders.<\/p>\n

Tip 2: Elbows Forward<\/strong>
\nBring the elbows further forward to ease up on the backbend.<\/p>\n

Tip 3: Elbows Backwards<\/strong>
\nPoint the elbows backwards rather than out to the sides.<\/p>\n

Tip 4: Hands\u00a0<\/strong>
\nWalk the hands closer to you while straightening the arms (provides a deeper backend).<\/span><\/p>\n

Tip 5: Glue<\/strong>
\nGlue your hips to the floor.<\/p>\n

Tip 6: Neck<\/strong>
\nRelax the neck.<\/p>\n

Tip 7: Extend & Lift<\/strong>
\nDon’t force yourself deeper into the pose. Go only as far as your body allows. During the pose silently say to yourself “Extend and lift<\/em>“, instead of “Bend<\/em>.”<\/p>\n
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What modifications can I give for Sphinx pose?<\/h4>\n
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Modification I: Wall<\/strong>
\nStand facing a wall then place forearms and palms against it.<\/p>\n

Modification II: Plank
\n<\/strong>Plank To Sphinx (start in Plank pose and lower to Sphinx).<\/p>\n

Modification III: Raised Leg
\n<\/strong>One leg raised.<\/p>\n
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What are some good preparation poses for Sphinx pose?<\/h4>\n
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Sphinx pose is a gentle backbend, but below are a couple of even more gentle backends which act as perfect preparation poses for the Sphinx pose…<\/p>\n
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Crocodile<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n