Namaskaram,
I have recently begun my journey as a teacher of yoga and am enjoying it very much. I got certified last year and have been continuing my yogic education for my 500 hour certification with Shiva Rea. The reason it has taken me so long to start teaching however, is that i do not feel like i know enough about yoga yet and feel that it is my responsibility to keep the students safe and i didn’t know if i could do that yet. Well I’m learning and feel that i am improving. However, yesterday as i was teaching a class i was showing Vira 2 and happened to look behind me as i was demonstrating parsva vira 2 and i saw that my alignment was horrible! i was very embarrassed because i didnt want the students to see it as the correct way of doing it. I guess the reason im writing this is because i wanted to get some insight as to what i could be doing wrong (what the problem may be). My butt was sticking way out! I tried to think about it and thought that maybe it had something to do with my hips but i have pretty open hips. Maybe its that my back leg, the femur, doesnt turn out enough? I hope this makes sense and i hope i can get some feedback. I have a home practice so am currently not with a teacher (i teach at my university gym so i cant really ask anyone there what they think) and my training with Shiva Rea starts in May so id like to work on this before i take off to go there. Many Blessings to you! Namaste!
Is this the pose you are referencing? I’m a bit confused because you wrote that you were demonstrating Vira II then immediately said you were in Parsva Vira II.
Assuming this is the pose then please outline the alignments you are aware of, the actions you’ve been taught in your training AND bring into this pose in your own practice. It will be MUCH easier to go from there.
Since you also mention certification and working toward your 5000 and a particular teacher, could you also illuminate me on the style in which you are practicing? Have you been studying only in one style and have you referenced your teacher training manual for education on the pose in question?
Namaste innerathlete and thank you for your reply. You are correct. I was in vira 2 and had my students flow from vira 2 to parsva vira 2. When I stretched back I saw my reflection in the mirror and realized how much my butt was sticking out. I’ve also noticed this in trikonasana.
oh .
hi anahataAnanda,
you might need more uddiyana bandha - draw the lower belly in towards the spine and lengthen your tailbone towards the earth. It’s hard to say without seeing your alignment, but that’s my guess You will definitely be able to get support with this at your training in May 