Do I have to keep my legs locked when reaching for my feet?

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Emily
Participant

July 10, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Post count: 6

#1137

Hi Gabrielle,

I have been progressing quite well in this pose, after beginning to overcome my fear of sliding my feet further apart. I have long legs, and have always shied away from the pain that arose in my inner thighs when I put my feet further apart- I now really believe that this is a positive stretching pain and am challenging myself to the max in this pose.

To reach and hold my feet, I am currently bending my knees slightly to get a good grip and then straightening them once I have grasped my feet. I am able to lock my legs once I am holding the feet, but its very difficult to get to my feet with knees locked. This is partially a lack of flexibility in hips and hamstrings, but I also feel that it puts pressure on my knees- I’m not 100% sure if this is good or bad pain (e.g. like how sometimes you get some pain when trying to keep leg locked).

Is this ok? Or should I really be keeping the legs locked the whole time and just suck it up, that I may not be able to reach my feet for a while?

Thanks so much for any help!

Emily

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

July 10, 2008 at 1:56 pm

Post count: 3048

#3314

Hi Emily

Great question. It indicates that you have a good body intelligence and are feeling concerned that you could be causing some damage if you approach this pose in the wrong way.

This is one of the most misunderstood poses of the entire series. In fact I would highly recommend clicking on this link to a very popular blog posting entitled: Opening up your hamstrings with hot yoga

In fact I would highly recommend bending your legs in order to get the correct grip in this pose. :cheese: You will find no stress on the knees or the lower back when you do this and your hands will more easily position themselves from behind rather than from the sides.

I don’t ever subscribe to feeling pain in your poses. Because pain is so subjective it is useful to think of the sensation to track as a comfortable discomfort. I still recommend bending the legs to get the grip unless you are super-flexible and have no difficulties.

The blog posting referenced above explains with clear photos that it is your priority to work on a straight back in preference to having straight legs. You will feel a stretch everywhere even with bent legs. One day your legs will lock out. In the meantime if you can only straighten your legs by rounding your back then back out, bend the legs and lift the hips up.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂
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