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Flip Dog / Wild Thing (Camatkarasana)

Elisha in Flip Dog (Wild Thing / Camatkarasana), body arched in a backbend, one hand on the floor, chest open to the sky
Flip, open, and let the heart lead.

Flip Dog, also called Wild Thing, is a joyful, expressive backbend that opens the chest, shoulders, and hip flexors in one sweeping movement. It typically flows from Three-Legged Dog and feels like a celebration of freedom and playfulness. The name Camatkarasana means "the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart", which perfectly captures the spirit of this pose.


How to Practice Flip Dog / Wild Thing (Camatkarasana)

  1. Begin in Three-Legged Dog with your right leg lifted.

  2. Bend your right knee and, on an inhale, flip your right foot over to the left side of the mat.

  3. Let your right hand lift off the mat as your body opens into a backbend.

  4. Plant your right foot on the floor with the knee bent and toes pointing back.

  5. Lift your right arm overhead and reach toward the front of the mat.

  6. Let your head release back and open your chest toward the ceiling.

  7. Press firmly through your left hand and left foot.

  8. Hold for 3-5 breaths, then flip back into Three-Legged Dog. Switch sides.


Modifications & Variations

  • Don't go all the way over: You can partially flip, lifting your hips and opening the chest without fully planting the back foot, to explore the backbend with more control.

  • Supported variation: Practice on a softer surface or with a block under your bottom hand if your wrist is sensitive.

  • Build from the foundation: Ensure your Downward Dog and Side Plank are strong before attempting this pose.


Bring Your Practice to Life


A large group of yoga students practicing on the grass in Golden Gate Park on a sunny day, with trees and a blue sky in the background

Free Yoga in Golden Gate Park


Every summer I teach free outdoor classes at the Whale's Tail in Golden Gate Park, June through October. Bring your mat, bring a friend, and meet me on the grass.


Elisha seated in meditation on an open-air wooden yoga shala, surrounded by tall wooden posts, with a misty lake and mountain range visible in the background at sunrise

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Ready to go deeper? I lead small-group retreats in some of the most beautiful places on earth. A few days of practice, good food, and real rest can change everything.



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