Hindu Pushups
Hindu pushups are a great addition to pushup routines, targeting upper body strength, endurance, and total body flexibility.
Just like hindu squats, there is some hype and mysticism that gets mixed in with this exercise’s hatha yoga origins.
The exercise will develop the strength and endurance of the upper body, especially shoulders and triceps, while stretching out the hamstrings, calves, achilles tendons, and feet.
Each of these pictures is a snapshot of the exercise, which is typically performed in continuous motion.
However, if you would like to work on your hamstring/calf/achilles flexibility, one alternative would be to stay for a few seconds in the “downward facing dog” portion of the exercise.
Pushup Position
Start in pushup position, with hands shoudler width apart.
Start (Downward Facing Dog)
Push your hips back as shown, keeping your arms straight and locked.
Try to straighten your legs. If you are working on your hamstring flexibility, you might not be able to straighten your legs completely.
Also, if your calves and achilles tendons are tight, you might not be able to put your feet flat on the ground.
As you can see, I am working on both of these issues here!
Don’t stress, just go back until you feel a good, but not painful stretch.
(This part of hindu pushups is basically the yoga pose called downward facing dog)
Descending into Pushup Position
Descend, chest first, to the starting position, hovering just above the ground.
Continue moving into the next phase…
Arching Up
Straighten the arms as you arch the lower back.
This movement stretches the abdominals while strengthening the lower back.
Don’t push too hard into the back arch. Let your glutes and lower back contract to pull you into the arch.
Push Back to Downward Facing Dog
Keeping your arms straight, bend at the waist and pull your hips back into downward facing dog.
Continue for more repetitions.