airbear

I never use the word “lock” as it is vague and like the many postings here, has wrong or misleading connotations.

Try this Anusara technique for STABILIZING the knee.

The cue is…”SHINS IN, THIGHS OUT”.

It can be done standing, prone, supine, sitting, balances, squats…everything. Try it in cobra type poses and you’ll fly…your whole body will soar. For me, a strong cobra tail was never enough. (Also, putting the feet in tiptoe position will magnify the muscle work in these prone positions.

From Tadasana…try this variation… large toes touching, toes spread and planted, a small space between the heels, quarter inch. TRIPOD POINTS PRESS DOWN…large toes, webbing at toes 4 and 5, and middle of the heel.

Now with muscle energy spiral the calf from the outside backward and inward.
Then with muscle energy press the thighs apart.

This is subtle. Don’t change the position of the knees, ankles or hips. To show your students what NOT to do, exaggerate bowed legs and knock knees in a faux first attempt. Let them exaggerate this also, to help them feel what the correct work of the muscles will mean.

And in your first few or several attempts you may not find it. Or you may be able to do the shins in, but not the thighs out. As in the work of yoga, keep trying. It will soon get into your cells and you’ll be amazed at the lightness. freedom and new found, like magic, strength that you have.

Gravity defying all the way around.

airbear