Advertisement

Chakrasana

Last updated: December 21, 2023

What Does Chakrasana Mean?

Chakrasana is a strong back-bending yoga asana. It is popular in many forms of yoga and is part of the primary series of Ashtanga yoga. As well as being a back bend, chakrasana is seen in yoga as a heart opening posture and is thought to work on the heart chakra.

The name comes from the Sanskrit chakra, which means “wheel,” and asana, which means “posture” or “seat.” It is so called because the body forms the shape of a wheel when in this posture.

Chakrasana may also be referred to simply as wheel pose. Chakrasana is also sometimes known by an alternative Sanskrit name, urdhva dhanurasana, which means upward-facing bow pose.

Chakrasana

Advertisement

Yogapedia Explains Chakrasana

There are many reported benefits of chakrasana. It is thought that as well as releasing physical tightness in the spine and body, the heart opening effects of the posture can help release emotional disturbances. Some describe this effect as unblocking energy that has become stuck in the heart chakra. Others see the posture as having more of a balancing effect on the energy of the heart chakra.

Chakrasana is mentioned very early on in ancient yogic texts. It was one of the 84 asanas of Lord Shiva’s classic yoga, referenced in the "Hatha Ratnavali" around 1600 C.E.


During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.

To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.

Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.

Advertisement

Synonyms

Urdva Dhanurasana

Urdhva Dhanurasana

Share This Term

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Related Reading

Trending Articles

Go back to top