yoga twists Archives - yogawithpragya

Some Useful Hip Openers

July 12, 2015

I’ve noticed that sometimes when I sleep on a different mattress, I wake up with a stiff lower back. Countless people have told me that they experience the same ‘stiffness’ if they sit for too long. This ‘stiff’ lower back is a harbinger of back-related problems to come. It’s better to nip this problem in the bud using a few simple yoga moves. Else you may be looking at years of pain and medication. So next time you experience a stiff lower back, practice the below moves. Hold the postures on both sides, focusing on opening up the hips. Make your movements intuitive. So rather than forcing your body into what the pose looks like, try and focus more on the movement.

The Ashwasanchalasana

Place your right foot between the hands. Keep your shoulders squared, which means you aren’t going to be leaning in on your right thigh. The right thigh should be parallel to the floor. Keep the left leg stretched out and the knee locked. Extend the back of the left leg, so try and push the left heel as far back as you can. Try and push the groin region closer to the floor, opening up the hip joint. Repeat on the other side.

The Runner’s Stretch

From your Ashwasanchalanasana, place your back knee on the floor. Then straighten the front leg making sure you don’t re-adjust the leg.

Low Lunge

From the Runner’s stretch come back to the Ashwasanchalansana and place the back knee on the floor again. Push your groin region closer to the floor. Then place your hands on the front knee and straighten the torso. So, you’re pushing into the knee with your hands giving a lift to your chest and at the same time pushing the groin region forward. Do this on both sides.

Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose)

Once again come back to the Ashwasanchalanasana. Then start to walk the front leg out and place the knee on the floor. Keep the hips squared. Open up the chest and push the shoulder’s back.

The Baddhakonasana (Seated Butterfly Pose)

Next, bring your feet together and push your knees as close to the floor as you can. Keep your back straight and chest lifted.

The Happy Baby Pose

Bend your legs and grab your feet from the insides (yes, it makes a difference where you hold your feet from). Now gently start to push your knees closer to the floor. In fact, you can even swing from side to side touching first one knee then the other. The idea is to allow your tail bone to decompress and relax. This is a pose I would recommend on a hard floor or mat, rather than on a mattress.

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The Supine Spinal Twist

Lie down flat on your back and grab your left knee with the right hand and gently pull it across your body to the right side. Try and keep your shoulder blades flat on the floor, maximizing the twist. Take 5 deep breaths and twist a little more every time you exhale. Keep the other leg long. Repeat on the other side as well.

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Enquiries Into Yogic Philosophy

Week 3 – What Balancing Asanas Teach You About Life

February 15, 2015

On the first day of this week lets practice balancing asanas. The thing about balancing asanas is that they don’t teach you more than just balance. They teach you how to balance with constraints. Your legs may be weak, your arms may wobble a bit or your brain may not be able to focus because of the busy day you have ahead. But, you have to harness your existing resources and do the asana. It mirrors real life. Give it some thought. So start with the Natrajasana.

The Natrajasana or the Dancer pose.

If you’ve been practicing this pose for a while then you are familiar with the basics. If you want to push the work in this pose up a notch then reach forward with your arms simultaneously kicking the back foot up. Hold this stretch. This will ensure that the other leg also gets a deep stretch. Try and extend your gaze in front of you, you can even try to keep your eyes on the fingertips. Count to 10. Slowly. Both sides.

You can also try the below variation.

Kakasana or the Crow Pose

This is a pose we practiced on Thursday this week in my Acro Yoga group. Have you fallen on your face in this pose? Remember, that’s almost like a requisite to find balance in this pose. Like in life. Once you muster up your courage to face your fear, it ceases to have a hold on you.

Once you’ve fallen and realize that it’s no big deal then try and lift one foot up and then the other. Beginners may notice that their knees are on the outside of their arms. That’s ok. Continue to tighten your core and arms.

Garudasana or the Eagle Pose

Once you’re comfortable with the basics of the pose, the try and bend the standing leg as much as you can. Try and push the shoulders down and forward. Hold for a count of 10. Slowly. You can also try and apply the Moola Bandha.

On the second day of this week focus on twists. Twists help in increasing the digestive fire of your system. This in turn revs up your metabolism. Along with this, twists help in maintaining the flexibility and mobility of the spine.

The Marichyasana or Sage Marichi’s Pose

What most people forget when practicing this pose is that both feet must be alert. One foot should be pointed in towards your face and the other foot should be pushed into the floor. The hand on the floor should be active and participating in keeping the spine straight. Both shoulders should be in one line. The hand which is bent should push the knee back and the knee should push the elbow out. This creates life in this pose. Keep your fingers active as well.

The Ardhamatsyendrasana or the Half Lord of the Fish Pose

This is an advanced spinal twist. There are many variations of this twist. Opening up the chest and pushing the shoulders back gives length to the arms which helps in grabbing both hands behind your back. Pull your stomach in. Keep both hips on the floor. Make sure the leg which is on the floor is flat on the floor. The knee should not lift up off of the floor.

The Chair Twist or the Utkatasana

In the Utkatasana try and reach forward with your arms and sit back on your heels. Reach down with your tailbone. When you twist, join your hands together tightly. Push your elbow against your knee, but make sure the knee is firm in its place. Elongate your neck and push your shoulders down. Expand your chest.

Try these asanas and let me know how it goes!

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