Hips

July 11, 2009

Thanks a lot Daenelle...

Pigeon pose is an excellent idea!!! Will do that before the series.... you are

right... I need to be patient... very difficult though... but I am trying!!!

Thanks so much, Alma

July 12, 2009

While pigeon pose is a wonderful hip opener, however the way it is typically

practiced (particularly by folks whose hips are not very open) is far less

than optimally effective and still puts the knee at substantial risk.

Typically I see people practice with the front knee quite bent so the front

foot is near the groin and the front thigh is completely off the mat. The

result is a net downward force that torques the knee joint, and there is

relatively little moment effecting an external rotation of the femur of the

front leg.

One of a wide number of possible alternative approaches is the following.

Do not bend the front knee so far, perhaps ideally it should be bent at 90

deg or so, so the front calf is close to parallel with the front edge of

your mat. If your hips are not open this is very difficult/impossible, so

to accomplish this knee/foot position, assuming the left foot is forward,

lean off to the left side until your left knee and your entire left thigh is

completely touching the mat. In other words, you lean far enough left so

your entire front leg is anchored and supported. There is no pressure on

the knee since the whole length of the leg is fully supported. Then,

carefully without lifting the front leg off the mat, start moving your

torso/body back towards the center. - This action will produce a strong

external rotation in the front leg.

-t

_____

ashtangayoga [ashtangayoga ] On

Behalf Of Alma Siobhmhaith

Saturday, July 11, 2009 10:26 AM

ashtangayoga

ashtanga yoga Hips

Thanks a lot Daenelle...

Pigeon pose is an excellent idea!!! Will do that before the series.... you

are right... I need to be patient... very difficult though... but I am

trying!!! Thanks so much, Alma

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