What is the reason for having a rounded back in Baddha Konasana? Thanks in advance for your help?
Loretha
Hi Loretha!
With Baddha Konasana I’ve never heard to round the back. Keeping the spine straight, pelvis in neutral and ribs lifted is how I was taught and how I teach it. When the back rounds in this pose, it is usually due to tight adductors (groins) and tight hips. The pelvis will move back instead of forward, which is what you want and the chest collapses which in turn rounds the back. You want the vertebrae of the spine stacked so together they can support the weight of the upper body. If you do naturally round your back in this pose, try sitting on a pillow which will help move the pelvis forward.
Where did you hear/read to round the back?
[QUOTE=lotusgirl;82492]Where did you hear/read to round the back?[/QUOTE]
In K. Pattabhi Jois’s ashatanga vinyasa many instructors say this is the one pose the back is rounded, I don’t know the logic why.
I’ve seen where they round the back as they come forward in Baddha K to touch forehead to toes, but not in the seated, upright version. I’m not a practitioner of Jois’s Ashtanga, so I teach it as mentioned above.
Guess we should ask Loretha if it is the seated or forward folding variation of Baddha K? Loretha…?
[QUOTE=lotusgirl;82494]I’ve seen where they round the back as they come forward in Baddha K to touch forehead to toes…[/QUOTE]
Yes forward bending is what I was referring to; hopefully someone here may know the expanded logic.
There’s Baddha Konasana A and B in Ashtanga. A with the spine straight. B with the back rounded.
In B, you have an opportunity to stretch the upper back. If you spread the shoulderblades and gently push through the upper back as you draw the chin in, there’s a stretching sensation across the upper back as the shoulders protract. Take the tailbone down towards the floor, chin towards the chest and that tractions the spine.
Y
Thanks for your replies, I am referring to the folding forward posture. It is not only in Ashtanga that I have come across the bended back instruction, but quite a few other instructions as well.
My response was to baddha konasana, rounded back, folding forward. Aiming to put the forehead towards the feet. Just to clarify.
Many round their back when they do any folds ,the goal of getting head to toes or knees seems important to some where perhaps greeting the chest down would be more beneficial .engaging uddiyana bandha will help . Imho cheers and blessings