Cobra on the Swiss Ball
Purists may find fault with tinkering with 5000 year old Yoga traditions, yet the essence of Yoga is personal communication between body and spirit. Purely from a fitness training viewpoint, Yoga on the Swiss ball can offer productive tweaks to regular Hatha yoga. In Cobra, a regular complaint is sore wrists. Note how the Ball allows for straight wrists which eliminates the wrist strain. Even a beginner will achieve success. The Ball’s built-in instability encourages additional core work. The Ball permits a greater range of motion from down to up position, if desired. Otherwise, identical cues to standard Cobra are still valid: dynamic tension throughout but particularly in abs & glutes; widen the back of shoulders; soft elbows etc. This equipment permits support for those challenged individuals who have difficulty working off the floor. It also permits extra ROM for those already fit who wish a further challenge. In all cases, the Ball must be the appropriate inflation and size to provide the essential support and fit for the individual.
