By Karen Watson Reeves
Undoubtedly, Boat Pose is a favorite among the children I teach. We imagine ourselves as little boats out in the lake turning our outstretched arms in circles as if they were oars, while singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” And more often than not, when I am teaching this pose to adults I am singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in my mind to help distract the feelings of intensity while holding this pose.
Full Boat Pose (as it is sometimes called) is a challenging balance pose that engages and strengthens the core, hip flexors, buttocks, thighs, and legs. This pose can help prevent back problems and align the spinal column. Many of us find ourselves constantly slouching and excessively moving forward.
When the abdominals (core muscles) are engaged and strengthened, reduced back pain results, as well as better posture. Practicing boat pose can also help students have stretched hamstrings, improved concentration, and reduced stress levels.
Boat Pose also addresses a couple of the energetic fields in the body. The tailbone is the foundation for the pose, the root chakra. It is the place that gives us an overall sense of groundedness and connection to self. Therefore, when holding Boat Pose, there is a sense of feeling connection to the earth, grounding and coming to a place of self-knowledge.
Another energy field that Boat Pose focuses on is the sacral chakra, located in the low abdomen. This area is home to our self-confidence, emotions, and ego. As the yogi progresses, not only are physical strength and stronger abdominals realized, but a greater mental strength also is enhanced.
We can hold the pose longer and move toward stronger modifications (there are also modifications that are less intense, such as using a strap around the balls of the feet, or practicing lifting one leg at the time), and as our core is fired up (the sacral chakra), we begin to reaffirm our belief in ourselves.
Practice Boat Pose. Begin by rowing just a few breaths out into your lake. With persistence and perseverance, your core will gain strength, you will find more self-confidence, and feel more grounded. And as you do, you might find you want to row your boat all the way across the lake!
Karen Watson Reeves was born and raised in Mount Holly and has called Hot Springs home since 2006. She became a registered yoga teacher in 2011 and has travelled Arkansas teaching her passion. She owns The Yoga Place, is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff, is an adjunct instructor at National Park College, as well as teaching in several other fabulous venues. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle.
