Dhanurasana: Feet are Not Aligned

Hello brooklynyogini

You are not doing anything wrong.

Most likely your legs are showing up an asymmetry or difference in muscle strength, or joint opening.

Perhaps you have:
1) different relative leg lengths (may not be true length difference but could be a pelvic/hip alignment issue due to tilt)
2) one preferred limb (leg and or arm) stronger than the other
3) a joint more open than another (shoulder, hip etc)
4) a lateral curve (a slight scoliosis) or other spinal asymmetry

These may not be very obvious. It may not be one single thing. But a multitude of little things that add up to a visible difference.

The yoga will have the effect of equalizing a lot of these effects and you still may never have your body be totally symmetrical. Basically nobody really is (not 100%) symmetrical.

Although you are not supposed to look in the mirror while you are in the pose, occasionally take a look and see the effects of putting more strength behind the leg that is a little lower. See what it takes to even it out a bit. What you are trying to do is create physical balance in your body.

BTW I have to work on a similar issue: right leg a little higher etc. I try to ground my hips evenly to make them flat to the floor and try to drive my left leg up higher. For me I notice that my left shoulder is less open. It internally rotates (ie ‘locked’ or rolled ever so slightly forward of the right shoulder) and despite my best attempts over time, through a lifetime of left handed habitual use and tightening of favoring it, it is still tighter than the other and surrenders back less far. This has an effect on the height of my left leg, despite this being my more open hip! Go figure. But I don’t worry about it. I just do the yoga. I observe and make more effort to release it particularly in Standing Bow and Camel.

The great thing is that over time you are likely to see improvement. The poses work in synergy to bring about structural change. I would hazard a guess that if you asked someone to look at your alignment in say, double leg Salabhasana (Locust) or even Full Locust pose they would probably tell you that you are not exactly symmetrical, with legs pulling off to one side even just a bit. It is just easier to notice yourself in Floor Bow.

The answer is to really work very hard on alignment on the ones that you have visual control over which is most standing poses: Half Moon is critical of course. With increased awareness of your physical form correctly aligned in space comes an internal awareness of your proprioception (or awareness of your physical form in space) which becomes stronger and stronger and relies less and less on the visual checking mechanism ie the mirror). This translates to a better practice and more distinctions to correct the poses that you can’t see in the mirror.

I think you get the picture. Keep working on best alignment in all your poses, making precision your uppermost goal (besides breathing!) and reap the benefits over time.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Thank you and it is my pleasure to know that I have helped you!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂