Commentary by Anne Johnson
Namaste! My name is Anne, and I teach kids and tots at Simply Yoga in Zionsville. Yoga helps us explore our strong bodies and use the power of our amazing breath. This month, I’d like to introduce you to the cobra pose.
The cobra is a dangerous snake because of its venom. When provoked, the cobra will send out a warning by spreading its neck into a wide hood and hissing, telling those nearby to beware. Cobras rarely bite without giving a warning first. Though they’re upset, they remain calm inside.
Do you want to become a cobra? Lie on your belly with hands under your shoulders, flat on the floor. Your legs stretch behind you like a tail. Press your hands down into the floor and inhale to lift your head, neck and chest. Hiss as you lower back down to the floor, breathing out. Inhale again to float your chest, curling your cobra body up higher than before. For a challenge try touching your toes to the back of your head.
To become a cobra we do a backbend. Cobra opens our chest, lengthens our belly and gives us an energy boost. It can even help with tummy aches! Cobras remind us to pause before we react. It’s ok to feel upset or frustrated and spread out our “hoods” in warning. But take a deep breath, and then you might realize there is no need to bite.
Anne Johnson teaches kids, tots, expectant and new mothers yoga at Simply Yoga in Zionsville. As a 200 RYT registered yoga teacher and former engineer, she enjoys writing and sharing “adult ideas” in a way that makes yoga fitness accessible to children.
