sorry for being vulgar but how do you go about doing the cobra pose (especially in the middle of sun salutations) without crushing your testicles?
The best way that I find to avoid this is to make sure your doing the pose correctly. I know this sounds like a non answer but make sure that when you are in the pose that your chest is up and that your arm spacing is about shoulder width apart. Anyone, please feel free to correct me on this one. I have never had an issue with my testicles in this pose but everyone is different. Also, make sure that you are not squeezing your legs too tight in the pose that may be part of it too.
I think I had my pelvis a bit too pressed into the position and I was bending from a bit too high up once again. still requires a bit of work on the transition during sun salutation however!
Try a Sun Salutation with upward facing dog instead of cobra…then only hands and feet touch the floor during whole sun salutation…no problem…nothing gets crushed on the floor…you can see it here…
Also doing the chaturanga with only hands and feet on the floor will help to strengthen arms and chest…
I’m surprised to hear that cobra pose is doing that to you. For me garudasana(eagle) and gomukhasana(cow face) have lead to problems like this. The answer for me has been to properly stow my cargo prior to practice. I wear boxer briefs with what used to be form fitting prana brand shorts. These days the shorts are a bit stretched out so without underwear these problems reoccur.
Luck
This has never been an issue though it may be the doing of the pose or that which precedes it. There are 17 or 18 versions of Surya Namaskar. Which one are you referencing or at very least what pose is preceding Bhujangasana in the salutation you’re doing?
[QUOTE=gossamyrrh;64328]sorry for being vulgar but how do you go about doing the cobra pose (especially in the middle of sun salutations) without crushing your testicles?[/QUOTE]
Press down on your top of your feet so that your thighs are about an inch above the mat and hovering. Contact points are your feet and hands, not your balls.
this problem has resolved itself. I was pressing my pelvis into the mat at too high of a point
gossamyrrh I am glad that you have resolved your issue.
Rather than vulgar I find it well worth visiting thank you for sharing.
I address this possibility in many of my classes as both a valid issue and I try to take advantage of the opportunity to add some light humour and ego reduction. I have often caught a ‘look’ of discomfort in the eye of a male student as we approach some supine poses I hope this softens the blow to those who may be sensitive to the issue.:rolleyes:
Sometimes as a male things need to be shifted and this is going to happen in supine poses or poses that press the pubic bone to the floor such as:
Locust - [I]Salambhasana[/I]
Bow or half bow [I]Dhanurasana[/I] or [I]ARDHA DHANURASANA[/I]
Snake or [I]SARPASANA[/I]
I make accomodations for large bellies in belly restrictive poses. Large breasts in inversions that might also restrict breathing.
There are lots of poses where body parts of various sizes and shapes are going to get in the way for some and not others.
Thanks again
Mark