Yoga for the inflexible

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

(I have some language issues, please be patient with me )

A friend has asked me to teach him yoga (asana), and I am exited. I have never taught anyone before. I am in no way certified or anything like that, but I have been practicing for six years and I am looking forward to teaching him.

[B]Stiffness[/B]
When making a very first program for him, I would like a tip or two. My friend is very inflexible, especially on the back side of the body. The legs have the most trouble, he can’t sit in a 90 degree angle, with a straight back and straight legs, and he has weak core musculature. I fear that this means that he can’t do downwards facing dog at all, even tiptoeing with bent legs.

I know he would benefit from learning both the downward facing dog and basic sun salutations, but because of his inflexibility, I’m unsure if he’ll be able to move between the poses. I usually do dynamic forms of yoga myself, and I know he at this point doesn’t like to ‘hold’ poses. I am a bit unsure where to start…

At the moment, my plan mostly involves poses that i think he will be close to mastering, and holding them for a shorter while, but I really want to work on the back flexibility, as I know that it brings him pain, and that it would be more joyful for him to do yoga once he learns to bend forward.

I know there is a book called yoga for inflexible people, but I can’t afford to buy another book right now… Any hints would be appreciated.

#2

Bend him round a few times then stetch him from head to toe by pulling his arms and legs at the same time!

Lol just kidding.

In my opinion you could do more damage than good, you dont want to be responsible for man with a broken back (worst case senario)…

I suggest at least advise him to go to a few classes first, with a qualified teacher. especially as he’s so stiff…

#3

First I thought you really suggested that, O_o, but fortunately you were not. Unfortunately, lessons is not an option at this point, but I will not ask him to do anything that puts on too much pressure, and I will not “push” him too hard, - should probably be safe.

I’ve been reading up on modified down-dogs (for instance against the un-moveable sofa). Does anyone have experiences with that?

#4

Yoga is like a sharp knife.
In the hands of a well-trained chef the results are amazing.
In the hands of a sociopath, not so much.

At the same time, a student who selects a particular teacher receives based on that choice.

Generally speaking students who are stiff will need to have all of the poses modified for them. When the poses are not modified to fit the student in favor of the student having to fit the poses then the likelihood of injury/damage increases.

For downward facing dog the student with very tight hamstrings may bend the knees while pressing the sitting bones back and up toward the top of the wall behind them. For dandasana the same student may take height under the sitting bones. In addition, for this same student, it would be well advised to teach them enough so that the hamstrings will open over time.

gordon

#5

Thank you. I am not a sociopath, just eager to do it well, and doing my best to get the information I need to teach him.

His working-body as very different from my office-body, but after testing out some positions, so that I can make plans, he is able to do more (beginner) poses than I initially thought.