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Vasisthasana (Side Plank) & Camatkarasana (Wild Thing)

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Yoga Techniques and Fitness

Overview

In this lesson, we present Vasisthasana (Side Plank) and Camatkarasana (Wild Thing), poses that build total body strength while targeting core stabilizers and posterior shoulder muscles.

Objective

Understand how to engage deep stabilizing muscles around the spine, hips, and shoulders, and gain familiarity with lateral spinal support through the transverse abdominis and quadratus lumborum.

What You'll Get

You'll learn to access muscles that daily life and most yoga poses neglect, building strength in your core, shoulders, arms, and legs from a side-lying position. These poses develop bone density, improve balance, and teach you to stabilize in asymmetry. For your own practice, they create a sense of empowerment and challenge proprioception in unique ways. If you teach or work with clients, you'll gain tools for helping people strengthen their cores safely, with added benefits for conditions like scoliosis. This is about building strength in overlooked places and learning to hold yourself up from the side.

Vasisthasana (Full Pose)

Vasisthasana Intermediate

Kasyapasana

Camatkarasana

Vasisthasana

vah-sish-TAHS-ahna

“Vasistha” = name of a sage

Side Plank Pose

Kasyapasana

Pose Dedicated to Kasyapa

Half Bound Lotus Side Plank

Heart of Pose

Arm Balance
Core Strengthening

Notes

Helps to prepare for more challenging arm balances.
Yoga International calls the full version (clasping toe) Vasisthasana B.

Effects / Benefits

Energy, Mood, Emotion

Effects to energy, mood or emotion may include the following.

Builds mental focus.
Creates a sense of empowerment.

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