One side more open than the other

[Guest guest]

I know from reading here that I'm not the only

person who finds one side of their body more open or

flexible or strong than the other in an asana.<br>My

question pertains to ardha baddha padmottanasana and ardha

baddha padma paschimottanasana. I'm (finally, amazingly,

and i chalk it up as much to my new vegan diet as to

my practice) approaching being able to bind with my

right foot in these postures (I can grab my toes, but

can't hang onto the foot well enough to let go with the

other hand). My left leg still doesn't get as well into

half-lotus and I have another inch or two to walk my left

hand down my right wrist towards my foot.<br>When I

get a good solid bind with my right foot, should I

proceed to fold forward and complete the asana on that

side? Or should I wait until I can get a good bind on

the left foot as well and only fold forward when I

can do it on both sides?<br><br>Thanks for your

advice.<br>Namaste,<br>bodysings

[Guest guest]

I have the exact same problem, and I've had a lot

of conflicting advice on it. <br><br>To me it seemed

that when I could bind one side and not the other, to

go forward on the bound side would just exagerrate

the imbalance, so it would be better to wait until I

could bind both sides.<br><br>A former Iyengar teacher

whom I know and respect very highly says it is

dangerous to bend forward until you can bind, because the

knee could be in a vulnerable position.<br><br>But

Guruji says bend forward anyway even if you can't bind,

so I've started trying that. It doesn't seem to be

doing my injured left knee any harm.<br><br>So, er, I

dunno. But I sympathise.