Sanskrit name: Chakrasana aka urdhva-dhanurasana.

Chakra (cak – to move) means wheel and therefore this is the Wheel Posture. Urdhva means raised, elevated or upright and dhanur means bow. Both “wheel posture” and “upward bow posture” describe the appearance of this asana.

The first time I did this pose, I was not paying attention at the instructor. Hence, I failed to do it. During my second lesson under a different instructor, she explained to us in more details. Follow the step-by-step S.L.OW.L.Y and remember to breath.

1. Lie flat on the back in the shavasana posture.
2. While exhaling, bend the knees and bring the feet as close to the buttocks as possible with the soles of the feet on the floor.
3. Bend the arms at the elbows and place the palms of the hands flat on the floor directly under each shoulder with the fingers pointing toward the back.
4. While inhaling slowly, raise your head and rest your crown on the floor. I find that this is very helpful before pushing my hands, back and lastly, the buttocks off the floor while arching the spine.

I personally feel that grading for difficulty level lies solely on individual. Altho Chakrasana is graded at 8 out of 10, I might grade them 3 in my personal record.

Namaste, everyone!