Final Stretch , help!

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Liveyoga
Participant

September 19, 2011 at 1:24 am

Post count: 2

#2200

I have finally gained enough strength to keep my ankles steady during standing bow. Now my problem is that I’m so close to having a standing split but I’m just not there yet! I try to not think about it… just keep pushing and pulling, but being so close always distracts me and I end up falling over because I start thinking, ” why the heck won’t you just kick up a LITTLE more”.

How can I get myself into that LAST stretch to achieve a parallel split?

-CB

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

September 30, 2011 at 3:52 am

Post count: 3048

#8940

Hi Colleen

Thanks for posting! You sound like you work very hard in your practice.

Three questions:

What specifically are you pushing?
What specifically are you pulling?
Why is the standing splits so important to you?

These are not flippant questions. I am wanting to get some ideas of your techniques, your focus and your practice intentions!!!!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Liveyoga
Participant

October 4, 2011 at 3:18 am

Post count: 2

#8946

Gabrielle,
I think of the term “pushing” whenever I am in the posture reaching forward. I keep pushing my arm straight.
At the same time I think of “pulling” while I am holding my ankle and kicking my leg upwards.

I’m hoping to master the posture in hopes of becoming comfortable enough in it to move along to standing full bow.

I guess I am just wondering if there is other postures I should try to incorporate into my day to day that would help open my hips more in order to complete a standing bow -and continue with my practice into standing full bow.

Thanks again!

CB

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

October 15, 2011 at 4:24 am

Post count: 3048

#8958

Hi Colleen

Try this instead. Forward arm: Think of dropping your shoulder away from your ears AS YOU extend your arm forward and up. I get the feeling from your description that you could be engaging accessory muscles unnecessarily.

And for the arm behind: Think of LETTING GO of your arm so that you focus on the movement of the back leg allowing the arm to lengthen and shoulder to open.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂
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