WELCOME TO MAY! This months focus: Spinal Extension :) Backbends are very challenging for me, but they are among my favorite postures to practice. Spinal extension involves so much more than the spine! When I was new to yoga I could only hold urdhva dhanurasana (wheel) for a few seconds, if at all. The front of my body was tight and my arms were too weak to hold me up. A few years (and many arm-strengthening vinyasas) later, it became easier, but it was still an uncomfortable pose which caused pain in my knees. One a-ha moment arrived when Elliott noticed that my hip flexors were tight, which made it hard to distribute my weight evenly between hands and feet. Another time, Mimi watched me set up for Bridge and noticed that my stance was too short. Because my torso is long, the typical cue to place heels by fingertips isnt right for me; it forces my knees in front of my ankles instead of aligning directly over them, causing discomfort. With small modifications and lots of patience and practice, Ive made a lot of progress and come to love heart-opening spinal extension work. Along with a deep twist, nothing feels better after a long day sitting at a desk! Im unsure if Ill ever be brave enough to drop backwards into a backbend or flexible enough to touch my head to my toes, but these challenges bring me back to my mat again and again. ~ Kristen Lewis, O2 Teacher
Posted on: Thu, 01 May 2014 17:49:37 +0000
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