Guest guest Posted July 2, 2002 Report Share Posted July 2, 2002 That is interesting because I always tighten my gluts (need all the help I can get!) when I do that. It would make sense though. Kathleen - any feedback on that??????? Margee > > crucesyogi [sMTP:no_reply] > Tuesday, July 02, 2002 11:39 AM > ashtanga yoga > ashtanga yoga upwards dog & buns > > In talking with a physical therapist and showing her various asanas, > she commented that in upward dog, if one relaxes the gluteus muscles, > this will in turn relax the erector spinae (lower back) muscles which > will allow the spine to curve back more. > > I've never had an ashtanga instructor say anything about relaxing or > constricting the gluts. Is relaxing them the way to go? It felt > good to me. > > > > > Sponsor > > > <http://rd./M=213858.2174088.3620944.1829184/D=egroupweb/S=170506 > 0955:HM/A=763352/R=0/*http://www.classmates.com/index.tf?s=5085> > > > ashtanga yoga > > > > Terms of Service > <>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2002 Report Share Posted July 2, 2002 I just took a backbending workshop over the weekend and we took a "relaxed buns" approach. I found it very liberating and ultimately helpful in protecting my low back and being able to position my shoulders more mindfully as a result. The instructions were to first rotate the inner thighs together to open the sitz bones apart. Then coming to center but keeping this width and openness in the hips, tilt the pelvis forward. Glutes are fixed but not clenched. This sets the pelvis without restricting it, as long as you keep the pelvis tilted/tucked. It's a lot to think about during a vinyasa, but if you work on it on your own with a few different positions including up-dog, the effects will spill over into your practice. NAMASTE elle ____________________ www.nirvana-yoga.com _______________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2002 Report Share Posted July 2, 2002 Well, since you asked.... My thoughts on this are twofold. It makes sense to me that relaxing the glutes would allow you to curve the spine more. In my case, however, because my lower spine is so compromised, contracting the glutes helps to stabilize the lower spine, thus protecting it from possible injury. So, I think that if your spine is healthy and strong, relax the glutes during Urdhva Mukha Svanasana and see how it feels. For those of us who are practicing with a compromised spine, I would suggest engaging the glutes and the legs to help support the spine until it is strong enough to go further in backbends. Kathleen --- "Gearhart, Margee" <mgearhart wrote: > That is interesting because I always tighten my > gluts (need all the help I > can get!) when I do that. It would make sense > though. > Kathleen - any feedback on that??????? > Margee > > > > > crucesyogi [sMTP:no_reply] > > Tuesday, July 02, 2002 11:39 AM > > ashtanga yoga > > ashtanga yoga upwards dog & buns > > > > In talking with a physical therapist and showing > her various asanas, > > she commented that in upward dog, if one relaxes > the gluteus muscles, > > this will in turn relax the erector spinae (lower > back) muscles which > > will allow the spine to curve back more. > > > > I've never had an ashtanga instructor say anything > about relaxing or > > constricting the gluts. Is relaxing them the way > to go? It felt > > good to me. > > > > > > > > > > Sponsor > > > > > > > <http://rd./M=213858.2174088.3620944.1829184/D=egroupweb/S=170506 > > > 0955:HM/A=763352/R=0/*http://www.classmates.com/index.tf?s=5085> > > > > > > > ashtanga yoga > > > > > > > > > Terms of Service > > <>. > Sign up for SBC Dial - First Month Free http://sbc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2002 Report Share Posted July 3, 2002 Thanks! I agree. As I said, I do contract and for me it works better. Have a great day. Margee > > Victoria Mellon [sMTP:sharky07042] > Tuesday, July 02, 2002 6:27 PM > ashtanga yoga > RE: ashtanga yoga upwards dog & buns > > Well, since you asked.... My thoughts on this are > twofold. It makes sense to me that relaxing the glutes > would allow you to curve the spine more. In my case, > however, because my lower spine is so compromised, > contracting the glutes helps to stabilize the lower > spine, thus protecting it from possible injury. So, I > think that if your spine is healthy and strong, relax > the glutes during Urdhva Mukha Svanasana and see how > it feels. For those of us who are practicing with a > compromised spine, I would suggest engaging the glutes > and the legs to help support the spine until it is > strong enough to go further in backbends. > Kathleen > > --- "Gearhart, Margee" <mgearhart wrote: > > That is interesting because I always tighten my > > gluts (need all the help I > > can get!) when I do that. It would make sense > > though. > > Kathleen - any feedback on that??????? > > Margee > > > > > > > > crucesyogi [sMTP:no_reply] > > > Tuesday, July 02, 2002 11:39 AM > > > ashtanga yoga > > > ashtanga yoga upwards dog & buns > > > > > > In talking with a physical therapist and showing > > her various asanas, > > > she commented that in upward dog, if one relaxes > > the gluteus muscles, > > > this will in turn relax the erector spinae (lower > > back) muscles which > > > will allow the spine to curve back more. > > > > > > I've never had an ashtanga instructor say anything > > about relaxing or > > > constricting the gluts. Is relaxing them the way > > to go? It felt > > > good to me. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Sponsor > > > > > > > > > > > > < > <http://rd./M=213858.2174088.3620944.1829184/D=egroupweb/S=170506 > > > > > > > > 0955:HM/A=763352/R=0/* <http://www.classmates.com/index.tf?s=5085>> > > > > > > > > > > > ashtanga yoga > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Terms of Service > > > < <>>. > > > > > > > Sign up for SBC Dial - First Month Free > <http://sbc.> > > > ashtanga yoga > > > > Terms of Service > <>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2002 Report Share Posted July 4, 2002 crucesyogi wrote [[in talking with a physical therapist and showing her various asanas, she commented that in upward dog, if one relaxes the gluteus muscles, this will in turn relax the erector spinae (lower back) muscles which will allow the spine to curve back more.]] ** The therapist is correct. However, by relaxing the gluts the pressure to the coccyx is intensified. Without strong lower abs & lower back, this could cause an injury. I would suggest pointing the great toes backwards & keeping a firm hold on the coccyx. Om Shanti ... Yogini Shakti hamsayoga.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2002 Report Share Posted July 4, 2002 Elle wrote [[.. first rotate the inner thighs together to open the sitz bones apart. Then coming to center but keeping this width and openness in the hips, tilt the pelvis forward. Glutes are fixed but not clenched.]] ** This is sound advice. Another general rule-of-thumb is to 'create space' in the bodies center - navel & back waistline. By 'pulling' the chest away from the hips, & vice versa, this space is created .. removing any sensation of 'crunching' that may occur. Om Shanti ... Yogini Shakti hamsayoga.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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