Hips and Legs

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Joseph1122
Participant

January 28, 2016 at 10:55 pm

Post count: 7

#21190

Gabrielle,

If one day I execute even a semi-perfect Eagle pose, I will die a happy man. I have yet to get my hands to touch because of tight upper-body muscles, chest/shoulders/back (I was a gymnast in high school).

But my question here concerns not being able to wrap legs around because of tight hips. Do I always want my hips square, even if I am only able to cross one leg over one quadricep, cowboy-style? Or do I want to work to twist my leg around, and foot behind calf, even if I sacrifice the placement of my hips?

Joe

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

January 28, 2016 at 11:16 pm

Post count: 3048

#21195

That’s a super question Joe!

Don’t ever sacrifice the hips’ alignment. You will set up all sorts of crazy balance and hip issues if you do. Notice what happens if you try to wrap: your body is likely asymmetrical, the standing leg straightens out a little (or a lot) to accommodate the other leg; your torso sways off to a side, arms react… and so on.

Are you using a towel or strap for the arms in order to get the traction?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Joseph1122
Participant

January 28, 2016 at 11:26 pm

Post count: 7

#21197

Gabrielle,

No towel or strap for the arm portion. When I swing right under left, I can get left elbow in the crook of my right arm. When I swing left under right, I can almost get right elbow in the crook of left arm, but end up just having to hug my shoulders and pull them down.

Joe

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

January 28, 2016 at 11:33 pm

Post count: 3048

#21200

Hi Joe

You will definitely get more leverage and satisfaction from using a towel or strap. Hold one end, and then catch the other in the other hand. Shimmy the device to get the right tension through the hands. Then drop shoulders and pull down. There are photos on page 106, top left!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂
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