Cat Tilt Pose

marjariasana

Level:
Basic

Instructions

1. From Table pose, exhale and tuck the tail bone under, round the spine and let the head drop down.

2. Press into the palms to drop the shoulders away from the ears and to reach the middle and upper back up towards the ceiling.

3. Breathe and hold for 4-8 breaths, or vinyasa between cat pose and dog pose, inhaling into dog and exhaling into cat.

4. To release, inhale and flatten the back moving into Table.

Benefits + Contraindications

Benefits: Cat pose stretches the middle to upper back and shoulders.

Contraindications: Recent or chronic back pain or injury.

Modifications + Variations

Modifications: Place a folded blanket under the knees to protect them.

Vinyasa

Use one or more of the following postures to build a sequence leading up to this pose: Table, Dog.

Use one or more of the following postures to build a sequence ending after this pose: Down Dog, Low Lunge, Child, Caterpillar, Puppy.

Share with

Friends & Students

Explore More

Forward Bending Poses
  • Half lord of the fishes (Version B) / Ardha matsyendrasana B

    Half lord of the fishes (Version B)

  • Reverse Warrior • Viparita virabhadrasana

    Reverse Warrior

  • Low Warrior / ardha virabhadrasana I

    Low Warrior I

  • Upavistha Konasana • Seated Angle

    Seated Angle

  • Ananda Balasana • Joyful Baby Pose

    Happy Baby Pose

  • Bound Angle pose

    Bound Angle

  • Half Wind Relieving Pose

    Half Wind Relieving Pose

  • Chair Pose / utkatasana

    Chair

Remove Ads with a

Premium Membership

Viewing ads supports YogaBasics, which allows us to continue bringing you quality yoga content. Sign up for a premium membership to remove all ads and enjoy uninterrupted access to the best yoga resources on the web.

Categories for Cat Tilt Pose

Asana Type

Focus

Chakras

Elements

Explore More

Yoga TipsAdviceArticlesPracticesBasicsTechniques

  • sun salutation yoga pose

    6 Reasons to Practice Daily Sun Salutations

  • Warrior Poses

    The 5 Warrior Poses of Yoga

  • yoga goals

    26 Yoga Goals to Expand and Deepen Your Practice

  • Intense cardio yoga session

    Need More Intensity? 7 Ways to Amp Up Your Yoga

  • Back-bending Yoga Pose for Envy

    Stop, Breathe and Shift: How to Conquer Yoga Envy

  • daily yoga practice

    The Importance of a Daily Yoga Practice

  • basic yoga pose sequence

    Let it Flow: The Art and Science of Yoga Sequencing

  • Beginner Yoga Poses

    The 18 Best Yoga Poses for Beginners

  • Five Vayus

    The Five Vayus

3 responses to “Cat Tilt Pose”

  1. Nigel Avatar
    Nigel

    Is this pose safe to do if you have a trapped nerve in the neck or will it do it more harm?

    Thanks

    1. Timothy Burgin Avatar
      Timothy Burgin

      It would depend on where the compression is happening on the nerve. To be safe keep the cervical spine in a neutral position or very slowly and carefully release the head downwards.

  2. Joan Tobar Avatar
    Joan Tobar

    I tried each pose, some more difficult than others. This my first time trying this on my own. I was truly peaceful and I enjoyed the attempt.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Yoga Basics