Workshop at Iyengar Yogashala, Hangzhou.
Post menopause. Time to sharpen up your practice.
Ardha Chandrasna is the quintessential woman’s pose. Practice it (and the other lateral standing poses) with the back to the wall to reduce pelvic rigidity. It gives freedom in the pelvis and spine; spreads the torso and pelvis horizontally and therefore cools. Practicing it facing the wall with a chair is helpful for women with fibroids because you can soften the abdomen. It also helps those with low back issues. To elongate the lumbar spine and to prevent it from falling forward (and therefore compressing), move the standing leg buttock toward the wall. Turn the hips up, and lengthen the tailbone away from the head.
Urdhva Dhanurasana from a chair. To develop enough strength to push up into the pose, start on a chair. You are already half way there – all you have to do is push the reast of the way up. The chair also helps keep you orientated. To avoid swinging backward or forward, keep your pelvis centered above the chair seat as you come up.
Cool down with Supported Halasana. Place enough support between the thighs and chair seat to maintain an upright spine.
© 2020 Bobby Clennell.
Tags: China, Hangzhou, Iyengar Yogashala
Bobby Clennell 
May 5, 2020 at 3:58 am |
As a relatively new teacher,I really appreciate the photos and information that goes with them. Often they are snippets which I have not picked up in class, in teacher training, or in my reading. So Thank you, Bobby.