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Strike a Yoga Pose: Handstand Scorpion

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:57 -0700

There are so many variations of scorpion pose like Locust Scorpion and Forearm Stand Scorpion, but Handstand Scorpion is my favorite. It's one of the most challenging poses you can try because it requires the three zingers - balance, strength, and flexibility.

Sanskrit Name: Vrschikasana B
English Translation: Scorpion B Pose
Also Called: Handstand Scorpion

To learn how to do this pose read more.

I know this pose is insanely difficult, so if handstand isn't happening for you quite yet, practice this pose in front of a wall.
Begin in Downward Facing Dog. If you're in front of a wall, place your fingertips 15 inches away from the wall.
Walk your feet as far as you can toward your hands. Lift your right leg in the air, coming into Three-Legged Dog.
Bend your left knee slightly and jump off the ball of your left foot, coming into handstand. Find your balance and slowly bend your knees, arching your back and lowering your toes toward the top of your head. If you're in front of a wall, lean the tops of your feet into the wall and inch them down toward your head.
Hold this pose for five breaths, then straighten your legs up to the ceiling and lower them back into Down Dog.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Forearm Stand Scorpion

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I know this pose looks extremely difficult, but if you've practice doing it with a ball and in front of a couch, then you're ready to try it on your own. Scorpion pose will strengthen your shoulders, abs, back muscles, and improve your balance.

Sanskrit Name: Vrschikasana
English Translation: Scorpion Pose
Also Called: Forearm Stand Scorpion

To learn how to get into this pose read more.

To do Scorpion, you first need to get into Forearm Stand. Come onto your hands and knees and place your forearms on the mat. Straighten your arms out, creating a straight line between both elbows, forearms, and middle fingers. Try to keep your arms parallel, and don't let your elbows slide out to the sides (or you'll end up doing a face plant).
Walk your feet as close as you can towards your head and gaze between your hands, not at your feet.
Now lift your right leg straight up and work on taking little hops, so your left foot comes off the ground. Do this by bending your left knee slightly, and popping off the ball of your left foot. Keep your right leg lifted and work on holding your legs in split position.
Once you've found your balance, bring your legs together straight up towards the ceiling. Tucking your tailbone and ribs in will help you stay balanced.
To come into scorpion from this position, slowly bend your knees as you shift your chest forward slightly. This part takes a lot of practice, so if you lose your balance, just try again. If your back is extremely flexible, your feet will have no problem touching your head. If your spine isn't so bendy, you can hold Scorpion pose with your feet dangling above your head.
Hold for five deep breaths and then straighten your legs and lower your feet back to the floor.

Partner Yoga Pose: Down Dog Scorpion

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Backbends top my list of favorite yoga poses. It feels great to arch my spine and stretch through my abs and chest. Some backbends are more challenging than others though, like Scorpion. Since it involves balancing on your forearms as well as bending your back, you might need a little help getting into it. You can do Scorpion on a ball or in front of a couch, but if you have a friend nearby, give this partner pose a try.

To see a video showing how to get into this, read more.

Partner #1 (black shirt) comes into Downward Facing Dog.
Partner #2 (lilac shirt) stands to the left side of Partner #1 and places her hands behind Partner #1's hands. Then she lays her belly on Partner #1's back, so her feet are off the floor.
Then Partner #2 presses her belly into her partner's upper back, lifts her legs up and bends her knees. She raises her head up, too, actively arching her spine, working on lowering her feet to her head.
Then Partner #2 lowers her legs back down, and steps her left foot and then her right onto the floor and stands up. Then they switch roles and Partner #1 gets a chance to try Scorpion.

Strike a Pose: Locust Scorpion

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0700

If you have been working on your Locust Prep, and full Locust pose, I think you're ready to move on to Locust Scorpion. If you have a flexible back, this pose will be even easier than regular Locust.

Sanskrit Name: Ganda Bherundasana
English Translation: Formidable Face Pose
Also Called: Locust Scorpion

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Begin lying on your belly. Roll over to one of your shoulders so you can bring both arms underneath you. There are two hand positions you can try, so see which one feels the most comfortable. Either interlace your fingers, clasp your palms together, and straighten your arms. Or keep your hands apart with either your palms facing up or pressed into the mat. Then roll your body so it's resting on your extended arms. Make sure your chin is on the mat as well.
As you inhale, press into your arms with all your strength and lift both legs up as high as you can. If your upper body is strong and your back is flexible, lift your hips off the floor, so your spine is as upright as possible. Press your feet and thighs together.
Then bend your knees and lower your feet to your head. Stay like this for five deep breaths. Then lift your feet back up to the ceiling and slowly lower your body back to the floor. Release your back by coming into Child's Pose.

Would You Eat a Scorpion?

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:57:18 -0800

I recently went to China, and while in Beijing I stopped at the infamous street food market. I wasn't sure what to snack on, but since I'll try anything once, and had a slight obsession with Survivorman, I eventually settled for a deep fried scorpion. It was warm and crunchy, with a little tender meaty morsel in the center. And, most surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. In fact, I'd eat it again. How about you, would you ever eat a scorpion?

YOGA CHALLENGE: Scorpion With a Broken Tail

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 11:00:00 -0800

I’m excited to announce the latest FitSugar Group called - YOGA CHALLENGE. To join the group, click here.

Here’s what it's all about.

I’ll post a photo of the challenge POSE on FitSugar. In fact here’s the first one - Scorpion With a Broken Tail .

Practice the pose. Then have someone take a photo of you in the POSE.

Post your photo in a blog in the YOGA CHALLENGE Group.

I’ll pick my favorite photos and feature it in an upcoming post, turning the winner into a famous Swami. Well, not exactly…but you will surely impress your friends.

Ahhh...but there is more. This suite has multiple options, because you can send ME challenges too. Just send a description or a photo of an inspiring POSE and I will post photos of me giving it a try.

This will be a great way for us to learn from each other.

Are you ready? Want to learn how to do this POSE? Then read more

Here's how you get into it the Scorpion With a Broken Tail.

Start off in what's called a Quarter Dog. It's basically a Down Dog, but with your elbows on the ground.
Lift your right leg up toward the ceiling, keeping your left foot on the ground.
Now kick your right leg up over your head, and your left leg will follow, but keep it low, so your legs are in a split.
Now bend your right knee and slowly bring your foot towards your head.
Bend your left knee and place that foot on your right knee.

Don't forget to breathe. Oh - and have fun.

Remember that this is a pose that challenges your balance. The worst that happens is you fall over, right? Get over it. Everyone falls in Yoga. It's like a rule. It means you're trying stuff, making mistakes, and learning from them, which is why they call Yoga a practice.

Can't wait to see your photos in the YOGA CHALLENGE Group.

Couch Time: Scorpion

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:30:00 -0700

Since I run a lot, my hip flexors and lower back get really tight, so I love stretches that focus on opening these areas, such as Scorpion. This is actually a yoga pose that's a balancing backbend. It feels amazing on the front of your body and your spine, but it's a really difficult pose to get into, let alone hold long enough to get a good stretch. You can do it using a ball, but here's another way using a couch.

Music: "Field of Green," by Careless

To give it a try read more.

Kneel down in front of a couch, and place your forearms on the ground, so your fingers are a few inches away from the base of the couch. You want your elbows directly underneath your shoulders. Look between your hands, not at your feet.
Shift all your weight into your arms, straighten your legs and walk your feet as close as you can towards your elbows.
Lift your right leg up into the air. Then kick off the ground with your left foot, and let your right and then left foot gently fall to rest on the couch.
Walk your feet so your heels are on the edge of the couch - focus on pressing into your hands to help lift your head up as high as you can.
Stay here for thirty seconds, feeling the stretch in your belly, hip flexors, quads, and back. Then lift your right foot off the couch, and slowly kick your feet off and release them back to the ground. Stretch out your lower back by coming into Child's Pose.
Repeat this move again, this time with your left leg in the air.

Get on the Ball: Forearm Stand into Scorpion

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:15:00 -0700

Getting into Scorpion pose from Forearm Stand requires incredible upper body strength, a flexible back and good balance. If you use an exercise ball, it makes this pose so much easier to get into.

Music: "Deva Loka" by Drala

If you want a more detailed description read more

Lay your belly on the ball and walk your hands out so they're directly under your shoulders in plank position.
Drop your forearms down to the ground so your elbows are under your shoulders and keep your gaze forward between your hands.
Let the weight of your body fall into the ball and keep your upper body stable and strong. When you're ready, lift your legs up and work on bending your knees.
Continue lifting your head and dropping your feet. Stay for as many breaths as you want and then kick your legs back towards the floor. Walk your hands in towards the ball and drop your feet down.

Fit's Tip: Really concentrate on keeping your forearms parallel because if your elbows start to slight out passed your hands, you may end up with a face plant on the floor (which I can tell you from experience does not feel good).

Favorite Scorpion With a Broken Tail

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:30:00 -0800

Okay, so there were only a few brave souls who tried Scorpion With a Broken Tail and posted their pics in the YOGA CHALLENGE Group but I was so psyched to see your photos. They were really amazing, and you have no idea how happy it makes me that you gave it a try.

My favorite was sent in by fitnessgirl. Not only did she give it her best shot, but you can totally tell that she did it in the office - she still has her socks on. I'm totally impressed that she keeps a yoga mat at work.

Can't wait to see your photos for the Wheel pose.

Scorpions

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:01:05 -0700

Overview

Definition
Poisonous Ingredient
Where Found
Symptoms
Home Treatment
Before Calling Emergency
Poison Control, or a local emergency number
What to expect at the emergency room
Expectations (prognosis)

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

This article describes the effects of a scorpion sting.

Poisonous Ingredient

Scorpion venom

Where Found

Scorpions
Related species

Most varieties of North American scorpions are nonpoisonous. The poisonous ones in the United States live mainly in the southwestern deserts.

Symptoms

In mild cases, the only symptom may be a mild tingling or burning at the site of the sting.

In severe cases, symptoms may include:

Eyes and ears
- Double vision
Lungs
- Difficulty breathing
- No breathing
- Rapid breathing
Nose, mouth, and throat
- Drooling
- Spasm of the larynx (voice box)
- Thick-feeling tongue
Heart and blood
- High blood pressure
- Increased or decreased heart rate
- Irregular heartbeat
Kidneys and bladder
- Urinary incontinence
- Urine output, decreased
Muscles and joints
- Muscle spasms
Nervous system
- Paralysis
- Random movements of head, eye, or neck
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Stiffness
Stomach and intestinal tract
- Abdominal cramps
- Fecal incontinence
Other
- Convulsions

Home Treatment

Most stings from North American scorpions do not require treatment. Children 6 years and younger are more like to have harmful effects from poisonous types.

Keep the patient and area of the sting still. Place ice (wrapped in a washcloth or other suitable covering) on the site of the sting for 10 minutes and then off for 10 minutes. Repeat this process. If the patient has circulatory problems, reduce the time the ice is on the skin to prevent possible damage.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
Exact type of insect, if possible
The time stung

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the insect with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

A medicine called antiserum (only in the most severe cases)
Breathing assistance, if needed

Expectations (prognosis)

Death rarely occurs in patients older than 6 years. If symptoms rapidly become worse within the first 2 - 4 hours after the sting, a poor outcome is more likely. Symptoms usually last 24 - 48 hours. Some deaths have occurred as late as 4 days after the sting.

Review Date: 10/24/2007

Reviewed By: Stephen C. Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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