heachache right after floor bow pose

I used to have this very same problem. I would get a BLINDING (though very brief) headache the first time I sat up for Fixed Firm – so right after Danurasana. I figured out that my headache was a two-fold issue. First off, I was seriously deficient in my electrolytes. I started taking Himalayan Sea Salts for that. Secondly, I went to see my chiropractor. What he found was that I was suffering some hormonal imbalances. And the truth for me was that the yoga ended up fixing it in the long run, but I did have the issue for at least a few months. I hope this gives you some insight!

Hi Alison

I wouldn’t mind knowing if you sit with your knees together or apart. I would also like to know what happens if you begin that part of your pose with your knees widely apart. My train of thought: I would like for you to try getting your bottom onto the floor with the knees splayed wide. It’s easier on the hips and legs and ankles and knees this way and it might, just might make whatever neurological thing that is happening normally, not happen!

Get back to me 😉

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Alison

So fantastic! What should also be feeling is that there is more freedom in your hips, less struggle, a more solid connection of your hips on the floor. Your legs, ankles, knees and back should basically feel a lot more comfortable.

Here’s your plan for progress:

When you get your bottom on the floor, leave it there. You may think that is obvious but I can guarantee you that with your knees together, that (if you have done so) you have gone back and lifted your hips up off the floor and then replaced them on the floor. So, hips on floor and they stay there. No lifting even a tiny bit. If they lift at all then you get back up and start again with your knees a little wider apart, or just don’t lie back as far (ie stop on your elbows and put your head back). I don’t care (and neither should you) if you’re not going back at all. My rule of thumb is DO NOT go back unless you can sit on your bottom, weightily (legs apart or together but with firm, even comfortable, connection to the ground through your hips and legs) with your back straight.

Once you get back, hips are solid and your knees are akimbo ( 😉 ) then over the next whatever time it takes, you start to move your knees back together bit by bit. If you have to lift your hips to do that then you’re moving prematurely.

OK, over to you!

So happy it was such a quick solution for you! You can see that it can be dangerous to believe that the dialog has all the answers. It really only has SOME answers for the people who can already do the poses. It’s a rough guide that misleads people based on it merely being a snapshot of a single class delivered once and then transcribed. It cannot cater to everyone. Leaves stuff out. Puts in unnecessary stuff.

Enjoy your new found comfort

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂