Pose Breakdown: Chatarunga!

Oh Chatarunga, such a mystifying and C H A L L E N G I N G posture am I right?!

To begin, start in high plank. Stack your shoulders about your wrist, heels above your toes. Create a strong, straight line of energy, reach the crown of your head forward, press your heels to the back. 

Now the transition into chatarunga, or low plank, is IMPORTANT to create proper alignment. L E A N forward on your toes and then lower down. This creates a 90 degree bend in your elbows, bringing your elbows in line with your shoulders and your elbows stacked above your wrists.

One of my favorite ways to break this pose down is by using a strap! Loop the strap so it is shoulder width apart. Place the strap an inch or two above your elbows. Beginning in high plank, and leaning forward and down. The strap will eventually prevent your chest from going too low, and show you the proper height for your chatarunga. 

Don’t forget, chatarunga is a VERY challenging pose and requires a lot of strength. So a great modification is to drop your knees down to your mat. Keep this work up, and you will build the strength to practice chatarunga safely! 

This picture shows how you can level up your chatarunga! Just another variation ;) If you feel strong and steady in chatarunga, try lifting one leg through your vinyasas! 

Christine Graeber is a Senior DDY Teacher and the General Manager for Dancing Dogs Yoga Savannah and Tybee.  She has an infamous sweet tooth, but luckily for for her she loves abdominal work almost as much as she loves gummy worms. Christine discovered yoga 10 years ago as a form of exercise but little did she know that the practice and philosophy would instill a self love, self confidence, and desire for growth that she had never discovered before.  She overcame her fear of teaching so that she could inspire others to find the same passion within them.  Christine is working on her RYT-500® and is training as a facilitator.