Thanks IA! So the poses themselves are sound, but as I thought, those knees are on wobbly ground! 
And Pawel, thanks for pointing that out - you’re absolutely right. I considered reporting “him” but thought I’d wait and see first. Those people sure are getting tricksy with their spambots!
I think J63 wins the grand prize.
IA - any chance you can post a picture of the posture in proper form?
I personally didn’t look above the knees and wouldn’t make any assertions about the posture as a whole. I simply felt the leg alignment was so glaring it should be brought to the fore.
My leaning is not to post pictures for alignment as it forces students to look only at topsoil. However, for misalignment, looking at the topsoil is paramount to a safe practice. Iyengar’s pose, which is used as the logo for the Iyengar Institute is a very sound (looking) posture but most of us will not achieve the opening in the hip flexors and shoulders to get there.
I also feel its quite important to ask “what for” when addressing a posture. What is this posture delivering for us (after it is over) and can that be delivered, in whole or in part, in another way AND is that other way safer (and easier to “get to” for most students).
I personally would not open the pelvis up in the way it is in the photo as I believe it sacrifices the ligaments in the weight-bearing hip. Though I’m aware this is not a universally accepted position (unfortunately).
Can teachers kindly comment on this photo in the latest issue of the Yoga Journal, It calls for Tilt Pelvis Forward. Is this alignment sound? or should Pelvis be in neutral position ? Looking forward to your comments & thanks in advance! Namaste
This should actually be a new thread but…
The lumbar curve needs to be maintained in the pose. If tipping the pelvis anteriorly exacerbates the lumbar curve then it is not the correct action for that student. A student with little or no lumbar curve should be tipping the pelvis forward. However this photo appears to have a neutral spine, which in some cases MAY be tipping the pelvis forward. They are not mutually exclusive alignments depending on the person.
Thank you Gordon for kind reply !
I drew a line from middle of ear - to shoulder - to pelvis, and yes she is in alignment ! Thanks for pointing that out.
In my practice as a student, I do not “Tilt my Pelvis Forward” as it creates lower back pain. I was surprised YJ gives the instruction. I guessed what it is trying to say is not to round the lower back, however, isn’t a rounded lower back corrected by sitting taller / lifting chest ? But hearing from your explanations it seems it is a legitimate action, depend on individual person.
Thanks for dispersing my doubts.
Namaste
I teach an alignment-based practice. Therefore it is my understanding that one instruction may not be appropriate for all bodies. Teachers who do not teach from a true alignment perspective may place emphasis only on actions and not have the same value on result.
If the student tips the pelvis forward AND there is lower back pain obviously there is compression in the lumbar spine. The question is whether there is another contradictory but complementary action in the body to ameliorate that or whether that particular student does not need a tip of the pelvis (at that point in time) due to their structure.
A corrective action for a reduced lumbar curve actually has to effect the relationship of the lumbar vertebra to each other. For some students “lift the chest” or “sit taller” may be helpful, though I have not used those particular instructions to achieve that in the last seven years.