Dear Yogis:
Lower back feels like it's killing you? Sciatica gnawing at you day and night? Then Standing Separate Leg Posture might be the posture for you to give you some temporary and possibly permanent relief. But why you might ask?
Tips:
Let's take a deeper look into this posture. First take a BIG step to the right. Remember the wider the step, the easier the stretch. Arms parallel to the floor, shoulder height. Hinge from the hips with a straight spine and look forward at yourself in the mirror, chin forward, until you can't see yourself any longer. Try to reach your hands to the outsides of the ankles or feet, and with all 5 fingers in your grip pull yourself further down. If this feels too difficult, painful, or knees are bending, back off and simply place your hands between your legs, shoulder width distance, and work at safely stretching your hamstrings, someday you'll get there. IF YOUR KNEES ARE LOCKED, engage your quadriceps, allowing your hamstrings to stretch. Roll the body weight into the toes. Now, PULL,and STRETCH your forhead to the floor, elbows may bend to your shins, if your forehead easily touches you can move your feet closer. BREATHE deeply and keep the SPINE STRAIGHT. Don't be afraid to take a peak in the side mirror to see your alignment. When coming out of the posture, keep the core and arms strong, chin forward and spine straight. Feet together, stand tall and breathe.
Benefits:
-This posture improves the flexibility, muscle tone, and increase the circulation to your calves, thighs, pelvis, hips and ankles.
- Increases the flexibility of the last 5 vertebra of the lower spine.
- Grounds the Central Nervous System.
- Helps increase several bodily systems such as; brain, adrenal, reproductive and internal abdominal functioning.
-Good for helping bowel movements and bloat.
-Helps to raise the mood and decrease anxiety
Below is a tutorial video of how to get into this posture:)
Remember you have your whole life to get into the "full expression of any posture", but that is never the goal. This is your yoga, your body and no one can ever tell you what is going to be 100% right for you. We teachers are only hear to guide you. Remember, you are your best teacher:)
The little Yogagal
