BENEFITS:
Mechanic:
deep hip opener, compression in the hips and the lumbar spine when the chest is lifted. Targets the hip flexors from the back leg.
Energetic:
stimulates the Stomach-Spleen channels.
Mind/emotions:
enhances endurance and balance.
CONTRADICTIONS:
Be mindful if you have an injured ankle as the pose can bring a lot of compression on the front ankle.
HELP & PROPS:
Using blocks if the hands cannot reach the floor in the full dragon and placing a blanket under the knee of the back leg to avoid painful compression on the knee cap.
TIME RECOMMENDED:
Two to five minutes could be demanding in one of the dragon variations so you can stay up to two minutes in each variations as an option then increase accordingly.
RELEASING THE POSE:
Release the hands down to the floor. Either coming into child pose and rest or coming to walking down dog (bending one knee at the time) to release any numbness or tight feeling in your legs.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Find the best orientation and location of your foot and hands to either increase or decrease the stimulation, let your hips drop towards the floor without forcing, letting your body weight slowly pull you down.