Jakarta, February 2016

I taught a four day workshop in late February at Jakartadoyoga, Indonesia.

I’ve never seen so many students in a class get into Malasana II (Garland Pose) so quickly and so well. These students didn’t need any instructions – they just did it! But for the rest of us: keeping your feet together, bend your knees and lower your hips, coming into a squat. If your heels lift, support them on a folded blanket. Find your balance there for a few moments. Separate your thighs so they are slightly wider than your torso. Move your self forward until your armpits extend beyond the knees — your torso should fit in snugly. Join your hands in a salutation as you press your elbows against your inner knees and your shins into your armpits. Clasp your ankles. Fold forward taking your head to floor, close to your toes. To help keep the internal rotation of your thighs, thereby bringing them closer to the side ribs, press down through the inner heels. This pose brings relief for women who suffer from low back pain during menstruation.

 

 

Jakarta’s mascot is their version (in this context at least) of Micky Mouse and other cartoon characters on Times Square.

© 2016 Bobby Clennell.