Caterpillar Pose

Caterpillar Pose Benefits:

• Stresses the ligaments along the back of the spine
• Compresses the stomach organs, which helps strengthen the organs of digestion
• Stimulates the kidneys
• Since the heart is below the spine, the heart is massaged
• Helps to cure impotence and leads to sex control [1]

Contra-indications:

• Can aggravate sciatica. If you have sciatica, elevate the hips by sitting on a cushion until the knees are below the hips, or avoid this pose entirely. Beware of hips rotating backward while seated; we want them to rotate forward.
• If you have any lower back disorders that do not allow flexion of the spine, then do not allow the spine to round; keep the back as straight as you can
• If the hamstrings are tight, the knees should be bent and supported by a bolster, allowing the spine to round.

Getting Into the Caterpillar Pose:

• Sit on a cushion with both legs straight out in front of you. Fold forward over the legs, allowing your back to round.

Alternatives & Options:

• If your hamstrings are tight, you won’t be able to fold forward enough to allow gravity to draw you down. Bend your knees and place a bolster underneath, enabling the back to round fully. If that doesn’t work, sit up on more cushions.
• If the weight of the head strains the neck, support the head in your hands, resting your elbows on the legs or a bolster.
• You can rest your chest on a bolster to help relax into the pose.
• You can do this pose with your legs up a wall (which is very nice for people who stand all day).
• If your knees feel strained, activate the quadriceps (but not always!) or keep a slight bend in the knees, perhaps with a blanket underneath.
• Experiment with hand positions. Rest your elbows on your thighs or the floor, or loosely hold the toes with your hands. There is no need to pull; gravity will do the work.
• If you’re very flexible, it might be more challenging if you part your legs just enough that your chest fits between the legs.

Coming Out of the Caterpillar Pose:

• Use your hands to push the floor away and slowly roll up. Remember, slowly means “not fast.” This is a test! If you pop right up quickly, you are a yangster. Be a yinster and slowly come up
• Once up, lean on your hands to release the hips and shake the legs.

Counter poses:

• Sitting up or a gentle sitting back bend
• Lying on the stomach is a gentle back bend, as is doing a spinal lift flow on the back or flow into a Tabletop (aka Hammock)
• A seated twist

Meridians & Organs Affected by Caterpillar Pose:

• The Urinary Bladder.

Joints Affected:

• The spine.

Recommended Hold Times:

• Three to five minutes or more.

Similar Yang Asanas:

• Paschimottanasana, we are not trying to lengthen the spine or stretch the back muscles here. Don’t try to bring the head to the feet, but round the spine so the head comes to the knees.

Other Caterpillar Pose Notes:

• Paul Grilley claims this pose is excellent for balancing Chi flow and preparing the body for meditation;
• Keep muscles relaxed, especially in the legs;
•  Make sure the tops of the hips are tilted forward. If the hips rotate backward, sit on higher cushions and bend the knees more. Fold forward enough that gravity is doing the work, not your muscles. If you are not folding forward, you won’t be able to relax completely. Let gravity have you! Surrendering is yin.

1. — Iyengar, Light on Yoga.

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