Ustrasana (Sanskrit: उष्ट्रासन; IAST: Uṣṭrāsana), Ushtrasana, or Camel Pose[1] is a kneeling back-bending asana in modern yoga as exercise.
The name comes from the Sanskrit words उष्ट्र Uṣṭra, meaning "camel",[2] and आसन, Asana meaning "posture" or "seat".[3]
A different (standing) pose is given the name Ushtrasana in the 19th century Sritattvanidhi.[4] The modern pose is described in the 20th century by two of Krishnamacharya's pupils, Pattabhi Jois in his Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga,[5] and B. K. S. Iyengar in his 1966 Light on Yoga.[6]
Ustrasana is a deep backward bend from a kneeling position; the completed pose has the hands on the heels.[7] The backs of the feet may be flat on the floor, or the toes may be tucked under for a slightly less strong backbend.[8]
The pose is one of the 26 asanas in the Bikram Yoga sequence.[9]
The name Ardha Ustrasana, Half Camel pose, is given to two different poses. One is an easier modification with the hands on the hips;[10] the other has one hand on the heel on the same side, as in the full pose, and the other arm stretched back over the head.[11]
The pose can be modified by providing supports such as yoga bricks beside the calves for the hands.[8]