Cobra

Cobra and Sphinx often get confused give their similar looks. Cobra uses more lower back strength than Sphinx, with the main difference between the two poses being hand placement. This is a great pose for strengthening your back and also helps to prepare you for any backbends that may be in your practice. Here are our tops tips for cobra:

• Keep your hands below your shoulders with your elbows lifted and pulled in toward your rib cage

• Press through the tops of your feet to help elevate your chest (and for the added benefit of toning your glutes!)

• Gaze a few inches from the top of your mat to elongate your spine

To engage your lower back, as well as your legs and glutes, there should be little to no weight in your hands.

If you have a history of lower back pain, Cobra is a great pose to use in your practice instead of upward facing dog.