David breaks down two variations on standing forward bend, padagusthasana and pada hastasana. Learn what components allow or restrict access to these postures. Understand what patterns can be established to evolve these poses over time.
Forward Bends and Hamstring Injury: Have You Injured Your Hamstrings?
Hamstring injuries are prevalent in yoga. In our survey, we found some very interesting relationships between forward bends and hamstring injuries. The data may surprise you!
Jump Forward in Sun Salutations: Part 10, A Return to the Beginning
When jumping forward in sun salutations, we are really jumping up and forward. We have to resist gravity with the shoulder girdle and move from our center of gravity to find this movement.
Sun Salutation 9 – Downward Facing Dog – You’ve Arrived!
I hear so many questions about downward facing dog. Where should your feet and hands be? Where should your shoulders be? Explore downward facing dog and find the right patterns for your body.
Bakasana to Handstand: What Muscles are Used to Press Up?
So this month’s question comes from Jessica Payne and she asked a very simple question, well, she asked a complex question, but, it’s very simply written. What are the exact muscles you are engaging to do a crow or crane press to handstand?
Binding Marichyasana C, Which Muscles Prevent It?
The question of the month was: Which muscles or muscle groups prevent me from binding in Marichyasana C? As usual, I give my response and nothing is ever as simple as it might seem.
Sun Salutations 8 – Tricks for Up Dog to Down Dog
Transitioning from Up Dog to Down Dog can be as simple as flipping your feet. Why not take advantage of this movement and develop a pattern that leads you to move from the core of your body?
Sun Salutations – Part 7 – Upward Facing Dog
In Part 7 of the Sun Salutation Series we move from chaturanga dandasana to upward facing dog. Sometimes it’s the most common and simplest of instructions that cause the most problems. Here we cover some common compensations in upward facing dog.
Sun Salutations Part 6 – Lowering Into Chaturanga
In part 6 of the Sun Salutation series we take a closer look at the landing and lowering down into chaturanga dandasana after jumping or stepping back. As usual, we want to set up patterns that help us evolve in our practice.
Jump Back in Sun Salutations – Part 5
Now that we have established some hand foundation in Part 4 of this sun salutation series, let me say something really obvious. If you don’t pour all of the weight into your hands before you try to jump back, it’s going to be difficult to get your feet off the floor. It will literally make your legs heavier.