Hi everyone,
I am having trouble with a pose. When I am in Downward Dog, and am told to swing my legs through to sitting so I end up in Staff pose, I just can not get my legs through! Is this a flexibility thing or an arm strength issue? What can I practice so that this gets easier? I feel like such a klutz when trying ot do this. Same with when I am in downward dog and am told to jump through to my hands so that I end up in a forward fold.
Any tips would be much appreciated.
Peace,
Kim
Hiya Kim, welcome to the forum 
Let me first say that observing our asana practice invariably gives us insight into how we go about our lives. If I see a student cranking themselves into a pose their body isn’t quite ready for, that is usually a manifestation of how they conduct themselves off the mat. If you are “feeling like a klutz” because you aren’t able to make a (difficult) transition, you may want to take a step back and observe if you take that off the mat in one way or another, and why. Please note I’m not intending to be hard on you or judgmental, I’m just putting forth an idea
We must keep in mind that yoga isn’t about accomplishing a cool pose. With that said, it’s fun as heck when we DO, so enough of that talk The transition you speak of is quite difficult for most people. It can take years to finally achieve it, if ever. For most, it’s not a flexibility issue, but one of strength. I’m sure others will provide poses and strengthening exercises (as well as words of caution as it can be hard on your shoulders, wrists, etc). I’ll put forth is the idea to use large blocks under your hands and work the pose backwards. What I mean by this is have your legs out straight in front of you, then raise yourself up on the blocks with straight arms and hold for awhile. After that, raise up and take your butt back some. You can also try crossing your legs, raising up, and trying to take your legs back while crossed. Until you have the strength to do these for extended periods while smiling, I personally wouldn’t try the transition as it can easily lead to injury. It would also be good to do this in front of an experienced teacher so they can verify alignment and all that jive
Have fun!
Hello Kim,
I neither practice nor teach in a style that incorporates the things you mention. I’m certain that your teacher, the person or persons teaching it to you, can offer several suggestion on ways to do those things if you are so inclined.
Generally speaking, if your hip flexors are not incredibly strong then you’d have issues with this. Of course if your hip flexors ARE incredibly strong let’s hope that they are incredibly open as well, otherwise you may be due for back issues as a result of them tugging your pelvis out of a neutral alignment.
Jump-throughs take a while to get! I used to have a pretty regular ashtanga practice, so of course, they are a huge part of the practice. It just takes time. Also, I jump forward on an inhale, making sure to engage mula and uddyana bandha. Try practicing jumping through with your hands on blocks for extra height so you get the feeling.
And don’t feel like a klutz! There’s nothing wrong with jumping to your feet, crossing your legs and sitting down instead!!
I was under the impression that jumping through to sitting was not as difficult as it actually is, I guess! I live way out in the country and do not have a Yoga studio to go to like I used to (I sure miss my teacher!) so I am now doing dvd’s and my own stuff at home. I understand the importance of a teacher and wish I had one. Anyways, I am glad you were all so helpful. I will just keep practicing. I like the idea of doing the movement backwards and the idea of using blocks to get more height so I get the feeling.
David…I’d like to talk more about what you meant when you said when you thought I should take a step back and look at whether or not I take those feelings off the mat. I am quite sure that I do. I doubt myself a lot, and I’d like to find a way to be more confident and to just realize that some moves are very difficult and they will take a while to get. I have been practicing yoga for almost 6 years now, and I still ahve so much to learn. How can I let go of the idea of “being good at yoga” and just practicing it?? I have always been athletic and very competitive, so it’s a hard thing to let go. How do you balance it out?
Thanks for all the help.
Kim
Hi Kim :)[quote=Yogamama222;15647]David…I’d like to talk more about what you meant when you said when you thought I should take a step back and look at whether or not I take those feelings off the mat. I am quite sure that I do. I doubt myself a lot, and I’d like to find a way to be more confident and to just realize that some moves are very difficult and they will take a while to get. I have been practicing yoga for almost 6 years now, and I still ahve so much to learn. How can I let go of the idea of “being good at yoga” and just practicing it?? I have always been athletic and very competitive, so it’s a hard thing to let go. How do you balance it out? [/quote]
At some point, we all forget who we are and create a false identity that we layer additional false identities upon. We all have our own experiences and path, but I feel the ultimate realized truth is the same. I can’t tell you what route to take, all I can offer is suggestions. My false identity was created as a result of trauma I experienced around the age of two or so. Interestingly enough, I too became highly competitive… but as a result of this trauma. I was athletic and was very good at baseball. I found that being REALLY good at something pleased those who had traumatized me. And the false identity I had created did everything it could to please them, because if they were pleased, they wouldn’t do what traumatized me again. Over and over and over again I lived this karma, not knowing WHY I was competitive (or why I always wanted to please everyone) but always taking it too far and being extremely hard on myself when I “failed”.
As mentioned, there are many paths you can take if you sincerely want to go on this self exploration. Yoga works for some, organized religion works some, gardening works for some; find what works for you. There is MUCH wisdom in the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Here in the west, we often focus only on asana, but this journey is easier when mind, body, and soul are all invited.
Are you familiar with the eight limbs? If so, and you have the desire, ask yourself how they can help you discover who you really are. I’d like to plant a seed: inject as much enjoyment and fun into this journey as possible.
Much love and many hugs
Kim,
ah I see, you’re not in contact with a teacher. Had I known that my feedback would thus have been different.
You ask about letting go of the concept of being good at yoga. The desire to let it go is admirable, especially in a culture where holding it, encouraging it, and empowering it is so prevalent. I suspect that retention of intention will serve you. That is to say if it is not pretense, if you want to let go of that, then you likely will.
However this appears to me to be a place where a teacher is most necessary. It is very difficult for us to have a clean view of the self. A sound teacher provides us just that form of honesty and reinforces the concept of transforming ego through the practice and shifting from a practice of doing and accomplishment to one of feeling and experience.
The holding on to competitiveness is what Patanjali calls Abhinivesha - one of the five kleshas or obstacles to our own mindful evolution. Abhinivesha is commonly defined as the fear of death though in this case I’m referring to the fear of death of the Ego. It is only the ego that must perform, be seen, be recognized, be patted on the ishial tuberosities.
In short, we’re all going to die. So what if you never jump through? Who cares? Surely not whatever divinity you align with. Who cares if you sweat bullets? Who cares if you can stand on your thumbs for five minutes? Who cares how lean your muscles are? These things ONLY matter when they impact our lives. If jumping through allows you a deeper relationship with Self, others, and planet then please please remain attached to it and try like the dickens to “get it”. If it does not, then it seems “okay” to let it go.
You guys are great and so knowledgeable. I am glad I found this forum. David, interestingly enough, I also had quite a bit of trauma as a child, so I am sure that explains a lot. Yes, I am familiar with the eight limbs, but I need to spend more time studying them. I also need to spend more time meditating, and I believe that will help a lot. I just joined an excellent website that offers yoga and meditation videos, so that will be great.
Thank you all for your advice and wisdom.
Much love,
Kim