A few months ago I started doing yoga.
It?s not like I?m going to a yoga teacher.
The prices are too high for the lessons .
I try with books and DVDs, but I keep on having the same problem.
I can?t reach for my toes when I do Uttanasana(Standing Forward Bend).
So I was wondering if somebody knows tricks to reach on.
I really do get relaxed and leaner then I was when I started.
Lolirth,
Your lumbo-sacral region and hamstrings seems to be stiff and tight. It takes time to achieve finger touching/holding the toes in Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend). So, have patience. However, in order to open both the group of muscles, try following art of doing asanas as under and as it is also recommendable for the beginners.
- Lengthen your-arms and above the hip region to the head-upward, against the gravity.
- While maintaining upward lengthening, slowly bend forward, using flexibility, in order as,
of hip joint, lower back, middle back and; bend the neck at last. - When you have bended with available range of motion/flexibility, bend your knee and pull
the thighs upward; and hold your toes using pull and push grip. - Practice the asanas in three stages-face up with spine as straight as possible, face
down with upper body being pulled toward the floor, and finally pulling the body towards
the legs. - While practicing the pose, increase your weight on toes, not only the heels.
In addition, before practicing this asana, practice Ardha Uttanasan (using a wall or chair as prop) and other lower back and hamstring opening exercises.
The price of injury is far higher than the price of sound instruction. But of course that is not what you asked
Yoga doesn’t allow for shortcuts. What we have built into our bodies we often have built over time. Ergo rebuilding new patterns also takes time - why my colleague above had mentioned patience. It is not the touching of the toes that is the mission. It is nice when that comes but the mission is actually doing the work, exploring your own carcass, tasting the residue of your life choices, cultivating discernment so that all choices moving forward are ones that serve you.
For most students challenged in this pose there is a lack of opening in the hamstrings - again mentioned above. There are many ways to address this in asana (read: teacher) but the one I’ve found safest is supta padangusthasana. This is a supine pose and I’m linking to a picture, however a picture in yoga is NOT worth a thousand words When doing the pose please do not place the strap near the big toe mound. Place it closer to the heel.
gordon