How To Teach Cat Pose
Marjaryasana

Step 1
Learn The Sanskrit

Marjaryasana = cat pose
Marjari = cat

I’ve learned how to remember Sanskrit names of poses by using a fun, easy to use memory trick. The trick is to create a bizarre story. The more bizarre the easier it is for the brain to remember.

For example, here’s the bizarre story I whipped up…

I imagine myself knocking at the door of my Mum’s house (she has a cat).  When she opens the door, instead of giving her a hug, I go straight to her fridge and get a tub of MARJArine (sounds like MARYAryasana), a knife, and spread it all over her very fluffy Norweigian CAT. When my mum rightly asks me when I just put MARJArine all over her CAT, I tell her it’s the latest way of preventing hair loss for CATs.

Step 2
Teach The Benefits

Cat Pose develops concentration and awareness when you mentally visit the spaces between each of the vertebral joints to mobilize them.

Other benefits…

• Lower back
• Menopause disorder
• Menstrual disorder
• Sexual debility

Step 3
Teach The Steps

• Start in a neutral position with wrists under shoulders and arms shoulder width.
• Pull navel into the small of your back.
• Arch back.
• Tuck chin to chest. Move slowly back and forth.
• Repeat several times.

Step 4
Spice It Up

Spice it up with some variations of Cat Pose.

Cat Pose Variation 1
Do Cat Pose with Cow Pose for a flowing vinyasa.

Cat Pose Variation 2
Raise the left leg and right arm, then raise the right leg and left arm.

Cat Pose Variation 3
Bring head to knee.

Cat Pose Variation 4
Tuck toes under, so you’re on your tiptoes and hover two or three inches above the floor. Now do Cat Pose (students will need to activate their core more to do this pose).

Step 5
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