I’ve been practicing the Dragon position and I’d rather not switch if I do not have to but it is leaving my ankles hurting rather badly beyond the end of the session.
I was wondering if there is anything that I can do to fix this problem so I can continue practicing this Asana.
-je.Ci
Never one to try to hide that I don’t know… Could you explain what the Dragon position is? I know of Dragon movements in tai chi but am not aware of it in yoga.
“Kneel; buttocks resting on the heels, toes turned back, back and head straight, hands on thighs.”
Ah!
Could be your shins and ankles are very tight. Easing into the posture gradually, longer and longer over time, may help. It’s actually an excellent posture for loosening up the shins and fronts of the ankles. And make sure you’re warmed up before getting into the posture. Warm muscles gain flexibility where cold won’t.
Are you using the position for meditating?
I always suggest 70%. Don’t go to 100% Go to %70. That means easing out of the position well before the pain sets in.
Do you have any ankle injuries that are aggravated? Recent injuries (and old ones not checked out) could do with a check up. Strange things turn up sometimes. And old injuries, well strengthening the ankle is often a good idea for recovering from ankle sprains. You can use a flexband to strenghten the flexion, extension, supination, and eversion of the foot.
One last question. Are your toes turned out to the side or pointing straight back? Out to the side is a hard position to put ankle ligaments in.
They’re straight back. My feet are essentially right next to one another touching.
No, no ankle injuries to my knowledge. Though I’ll try warming up first. That could be an issue.
I’m using this position to essentially learn to quiet the body so as to progress into the higher stages of Yoga.
It’s a very good position. I use it often, finding it more comfortable for longterm sitting than any other. I learned it first from my yoga teacher who had bad hips and so used it almost exclusively. Then I really got into it when I was taking iaido–Japanese sword form, where it is known as Seiza. If I can recall correctly, it took a while for me to ease into it.
Then again it took me four years before my heels touched the ground in the yoga squat. Ah, but what is time in a lifetime practice?
Good luck with it.
Try putting a blanket under you shins with your feet off the back. Sthira sukham asanam - the pose should be comfortable and steady. As your ankles become more flexible you can use less blanket. Hope this helps.
I’ve never heard of a dragon pose, either, but…, this asana sounds almost exactly like the classic yoga pose of Virasana, or Hero Pose. The only difference between the two, as you have described dragon, is that in Virasana the knees are a bit closer together than the ankles. Actually, the knees touch just lightly, and the ankles are right up against the hips as your buttocks are on the floor. Other than that, it is identical. I have to wonder if dragon is not some sort of a modification of Virasana for someone who does indeed have hip issues. Virasana would require a bit more flexibility in the hips and quads, but puts considerably less stress on the ankles. By running your legs parallel to one another you put a great deal of stress on the shorter tendons at the outer front and outside of the ankle, while in Virasana the stress falls mainly on the longer tendons at the inner front of the ankle. I would maybe look up Virasana and give it a try. I think you would find this traditional pose much less painful. I know that yogajournal.com has a nice section of the various asansas complete w/ photos and descriptions.
:evil: the dragon is like the Hero but not like the Virasana i need to tighten my buttocks and bend my knees put my ankles together and roll into a little ball, if u ask me ill stick with the Hero! dragon sounds like a bunch of bull i dont even think that it is real! but hey who am i to say that im not good a tightening my buttocks :o if there is anyway that you wise souls can help me be lead down the path of enlightenment please help me, my partner says i need help with this position and is getting tired of the hero postion help me please with detailed pictures and intructions
thank you,
fellow flexmaster
P.s.
In my own opinion, the tightening of buttocks is very neccessary for me and my partner, Frank. Sex is an important part of everyday life, even though gay sex is only for pure recreation instead of just plain creation. Well, actually, i create this "juice" when i go into the Hero, but i hope to find out what the dragon is, and if it will once again reignite the spark that me and my mega yoga man have had when we first met. i find it hard to get a postion down when i am recieving. :lol:
i make all of my postions with dolls first to c if they are possible here is a preview of my art 