Hello ‘M’ 😉 or pa_yogi
I guess you are remembering that initial ‘robust’ and powerful stretch you were getting when you first started. I think that after a while that feeling across the long or stretching side of the body is less intense because the muscles are now longer and leaner.
Truth be known, that if you are going to be able to push your hips off strongly to the side, not only do you need movement around your middle area but your ankles have something to do with it. The more laterally flexible you are at ground level the more your hips will be able to shift sideways.
In answer to your question: focus on planted feet and legs (as a whole solid unit) pushing off to the side. Think of body moving up, out and then over to the opposite side. And for extra stretching ooomph shift the weight backwards into the heels and bring arms back.
My guess is that your question may simply be coming from your observations of how others can achieve what your body is finding difficult at the moment. A few things may happen: you are going to find a way to approach your pose which clicks for you (your aha moment), your opening hips and ankles will one day create the movement you seek, or you are going to find that where you are is about where your body will be. In any case, you appear to be approaching your practice mindfully and that is key!
Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂
