What Is Boat Pose And Why Is It So Good For You?

Theodore Roosevelt once said “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…” I had to remind myself of this a couple of days ago when I was trying to stay in my Boat pose.

It’s funny isn’t it that some days you can ease in and out of poses so easily and so gracefully but then there are other days when those same poses can be a bit of challenge.

As I tried to lift my feet off the floor I had to remind myself what wonders this posture is doing for my abs and my hamstrings. In fact, Boat pose has many benefits, it not only strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors and spine it also improves digestion and stimulates the kidneys, thyroid, intestines and prostate glands and if that wasn’t enough it also helps relieve stress.

Boat Pose (Paripurna Navasana)

• Starting in a seated position with your legs bent.
• Keep your spine straight and begin to lean back until your feet float off the floor.
• Slowly begin to straighten your legs and stretch your arms out in front of you parallel to the floor.
• Balancing on your ‘tripod’ (tailbone and sit bones), lift your chest and gaze forward.
• If straightening your legs is too challenging you can keep your legs bent at a 45 degree angle with your shins parallel to the floor.

Stay in the pose for 10 seconds to begin with and come out of the pose if you feel any pain in your lower back.