Guest guest Posted January 22, 2001 Report Share Posted January 22, 2001 HI, thanks for the responses to my earlier question.<br><br>Can anyone recommend a good stretch to increase the flexibility in the front of my ankles to improve my position in poses such as Downward Dog? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2001 Report Share Posted January 22, 2001 I think that Down & Upward Dog are very good postures to improve the flexibiliy in your ankles.<br><br>I would recommend you to concentrate on doing the Sun Salutations A & B regularly. Initially, they might be quite a struggle to do. But hang on, and you will see that just by practising the Sun Salutes, not only your ankles, but your whole body will become more flexible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2001 Report Share Posted January 22, 2001 I agree with shining skull that the best way to increase the flexibility in the front of your ankles is to carry on doing the dog poses and thankfully the primary series gives plenty of opportunities for this..<br>If you are interested in how to get your heels on the ground there are some techniques you could try that might help:<br>When you are in downward dog lift up your toes- this engages the right muscles for working in this pose and puts more pressure on the heel.<br>Move your arm pits towards your ankles, whilst still keeping the spine straight. This pushes the heels down further.<br>Move the top of your thigh muscles backwards.<br>Most importantly BREATH.<br>If you try a "mysore style" class one time your teacher may stand on your heels and push them into the ground- No problem !<br>Take it easy though, and remember there is no rush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2001 Report Share Posted January 22, 2001 also, if your calves/achilles is particularly tight and short, maybe spend some time every day with the balls of one foot on a step, lowering your heel, resting there for 5 or so minutes each side. This uses all the weight of your body on a particularly powerful group of muscles, and gives you quite a bit of leverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2001 Report Share Posted January 23, 2001 Hi dmorris,<br>The good stretch to increase the flexibility in the front of your ankles (which is not what is really going to be happening) to improve your position in Downward Dog is practice Downward Dog. <br><br>FBL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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