Bhujaṅgāsana is more commonly known as the
Cobra posture and is seen in many Yoga groups
as an example of a “classical” Yoga backbend.

It is an Āsana where the emphasis is intended to be
on arching the entire spine and expanding the upper
chest forwards rather than merely bending backwards.

Its energetic opening actions also make the Āsana
an  essential reference for people’s Yoga practice
as a prone backbend in one form or another.

When inhaling, the focus is to initiate
the movement of both the body and the
breath from within the Prāṇa Sthāna.

Here, the image of the Cobra expanding its hood can
be a guide to keeping the emphasis in the upper chest
and spine and not over emphasising the use of the
arms as a support. Instead, consider the role of the
arms as if to draw back from the palms of the hands
to encourage a forward movement of the sternum.

This is accompanied by a drawing away of the
feet from the hips to experience the Pūrvatāna
or front stretch Lakṣaṇa of Bhujaṅgāsana.
It may help to think of this particular category
of Pūrvatāna Āsana as engaging a wall-to-wall
Bhāvana, rather than floor to celing movement
more commonly associated with the Cobra posture.

Link to Series: 108 Postural Practice Pointers

Āsana and Mudrā Glossary
– Grouped into Standing, Kneeling,
Lying, Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting