Prepare your lower body well for the Camel Pose: The Moves | Toronto Star

Much like its namesake, Camel Pose has a bit of a reputation. Those who try it without the requisite strength and flexibility often find it to be a real pain in the neck, not to mention the middle and lower back. Prepare the lower body for Camel with this foundational exercise that builds strength and stability in all the right places.

1.Sit on your heels with toes pointed and knees folded tight.

2.Strongly squeeze your inner thighs together.

3.At the same time, engage your pelvic floor muscles and firm the lower belly.

4.Now keep your head, heart and hips in one straight line while you shoot straight up to stand on your knees. Be sure to use your glutes to Mick Jagger-thrust your hips forward at the very top of the movement.

5.Stay vertically aligned and engaged through your core as you slowly lower yourself onto your heels. If you do not feel your quads firing here, there is a good chance you are cheating by pushing your seat out and leaning forward — do your best to stay upright throughout the movement.

6.Repeat nine more times with the perky zeal of the Whac-A-Mole mole.

One Lump or Two?

There are two types of camels: dromedary camels, which have one hump, and Bactrian camels, which have two humps. Native to the steppes of Central Asia, the domesticated Bactrian camel enabled travel on the Silk Road thanks to its tolerance for cold, drought and high altitudes. Their ability to carry up to 500 pounds on their backs earned these animals the nickname “ships of the desert.” The wild Bactrian camel is considered critically endangered

YuMee Chung is a recovering lawyer who teaches yoga in Toronto. She is on the faculty of a number of yoga teacher training programs and leads domestic and international yoga retreats. Learn more about her at padmani.com

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