This is an important message. It is timely.
My mantra’s purpose is to dispel this myth.
Reduce your footprint
Google image search for “yoga poses” will show 90% of the images taken at the end of the movement. It’s no wonder that yoga is synonymous with extreme flexibility. But, is this good for us?
Triangle is often taught by pointing your hands at the ground and allowing your pelvis to hinge sideways. This will lengthen the torso as much as possible. For most people, this will mean pushing your hip joints and pelvis as far as possible. This movement is not only inconvenient for hip mobility and functional movement and can even be dangerous for some.
Moving your pelvis sideways just a few inches can help you free your hips. The movement can be done slowly, with mindfulness, and controlled. This will help to balance strength and flexibility in a more balanced way.
Move smarter
Instead of achieving the full range of motion, you desire, find the point where you feel a slight stretch sensation and then move within that range.
This is a mindful practice. Are you able to control that small range of motion? Are you feeling shaky or experiencing little jerks in your movements? Try to do smaller movements. Listen to your body and achieve smoothness and control, rather than a particular shape.
Slow, smooth movements and backing up your poses will deepen your practice. By being mindful while you move, your proprioception will improve. This will improve your functional strength and strengthen your brain muscle.
Get stronger
You can also do Triangle poses with your hand on the ground, but bring your chair. You can also try going smaller; hovering your hand in the air will help you feel your core engage in this range. Keep your legs straight and align them with each other. Core engagement is better than a longing action for your torso.
Pay attention to every muscle contraction. It doesn’t have pain, and it doesn’t have to be painful. You can build a lot of functional strength by being mindful and moving with deliberate control in small ways.
Fascia is all about less.
Did you know there could be more sensory nerve endings in your body’s fascial matrix than the retina?
Your connective tissue fascial system is the largest sensory organ and overall largest organ of the body. It is more sensitive, delicate, responsive, and sensitive than we realize. It can be found all over the body.
Moving from a fascial perspective is more efficient. Keep it small and smooth for the details. Mindfulness is a subtle way to have a deep-tissue dance party. It’s like tasting a bite of something on your tongue or closing your eyes to feel it.
These things can be done regardless of your yoga experience. These things can be done regardless of your level of yoga expertise.