Thursday, March 15, 2007

Any request?

Usually at the beginning of class, the instructor would ask if anyone has any request, something they would like to work on. A lot of times everyone just shakes their head no or someone would say "Hips" or "Shoulders". Last night, the question was asked and someone asked if we could work on the pose shown on the cover of this Yoga Journal, I forget the name so if any of you know, please let me know.

I have this issue at home. When I look at this cover I can almost physically feel the pain I would feel in my knees trying to do this. So the class involved a lot of squatting (which I seem to be doing a lot of lately) and Utkatasanas, really focusing on pushing the pelvis back but keeping the tailbone curled in, very tricky. Also Utkatasana with our belly resting on our thighs and extending our arms foward. As it turned out, this pose is not as difficult getting into as I thought. Did I do it? No, but I ended up doing more of this pose than I had anticipated. I get it!

While standing, bring one foot up across your knee, you're almost in the shape of the number 4. Then begin to bend that standing leg and draw the pelvis back like you're about to sit but press your hands down on that foot and bent knee for stability. Once you're bent over, place your hands to the floor and start to lower yourself by bending the standing leg until your sitting on the heel of your foot. Notice in the picture her foot is right between both buttcheeks, I couldn't quite get it centered but it's ok. The "Ah ha" moment came when I started to lift myself up, almost like there is a string pulling the top of your head. It was the lifting of the upper body where I discovered that with some more practice, I could do this pose! Just gotta work on the balance. I didn't feel any pain in my knees surprisingly but I did feel a little in the standing ankle but I think it might have been because it's not use to that much weight on it? I'm gonna keep at it.

4 comments:

Regina said...

Omigosh, Marilyn- I have always wanted to do this pose but had no idea how to even manage getting into it! Thank you so much! I have that issue as well and all I do is stare at the picture and wonder to myself... no more wondering now!
I love how you are always willing to try new poses- I wish we did more of that at my yoga studio...

Lisa said...

oooh, I remember trying to do this when I very first started doing yoga. Of course I couldn't even get close and then I forgot all about it.

Thanks for the reminder!! I'm going to try it again now that I'm more flexible and open.....

Anonymous said...

wow, You go girl :)

Mary said...

How awesome is that a-ha moment. Love the way you described it. I haven't tried this pose yet but will do...