Yoga practice questions

  1. Is it necessary that one has to do a foward bending pose immediately after backbend? Can it be done in this sequence.Like a set of backbends, then twists and foward bends ?

  2. Another question is about static way of holding pose versus dynamic( like holding it for longer duration (30-60 seconds) vs holding it for few seconds but do a set of 3-5 ). What is difference here in terms of psychic and physiological benefits ?

When the question has the phrase “necessity” in it I become quite challenged in reply. So I’ll simply reply to the effect and safety continuum that I believe is the very essence of each pose, sequence and practice.

The answer to number one is “it depends”. You’ve generalized backbends in a way that they are all the same, and of course they are not. If you are doing Bhujangasana there is no compelling safety or efficacy reason to do Adho Mukha Svanasana (or uttanasana, or balasana) following it. However certain backbending practices should leave the student balanced and for some students in some practices it may be BOTH safer and more effective to do additional releasing (I don’t use the phrase “counter pose” any longer unless forced to do so).

However if one is doing classical surya namaskar you will note that the entire sequence alternates forward bending and backbending. So for the student doing classical SN and expecting the nectar of it, yes a forward bend does follow a back bend :slight_smile:

As far as your hypothetical sequence, again you’re going to get mixed answers. What is critical to note is that not every style of yoga (read: asana) places the same emphasis on safety and effect. Some practices are very effective and not at all safe. So one would expect a “go for it”, “doesn’t matter” or a “do what you feel” answer from that corner. Other practices are incredibly safe and not very effective. You won’t get hurt ever but you’ll only get a little bit of juice in those practices. From that corner you might expect a reply along the lines of “be gentle”, “take it slow”, “if it hurts don’t do it” etcetera.

I prefer a balance on that continuum and therefore in our teaching twists come before backbends. Opening the anterior spine, as is the case with deep backbends, then following that with rotation of the spine places the student at great risk. Of course if you are doing a gentle practice with no intensity whatsoever you likely don’t have to concern yourself with such things.

On question two obviously there is only one time a human being is static and that is after the last breath. So what we’re comparing is a gross movement which overstimulated people in our society can feel versus refined movements which require our developing a deeper awareness (practice). But I understand your point. Repetitive poses held only for a breath or two have a purpose. If this is the nature of your practice then surely you’ve felt this day in and day out. The concern is that the faster pace facilitate the degradation of alignment (read: integrity) in the pose and thus inhibits the ability to feel. And of course Yoga itself is a practice about feeling more not feeling less.

Holding poses may lead to refinement when there’s a willing student and a sound teacher mixed with a bit of patience. It is impossible to refine a pose in 3 seconds especially for beginning, intermediate or poorly instructed students. We also know that connective tissue tends to release in about 90 seconds. So if that is a part of asana practice (for you) then a brief hold will not get you there.

The reality is that both things have a purpose and are profound when blended in a practice properly - in good measure, at appropriate times, with certain intentions.

Thanks Inner!

Well thought reply.

Some days you eat the fish and other days the fish eats you.

[QUOTE=Layman;52850]1. Is it necessary that one has to do a foward bending pose immediately after backbend? Can it be done in this sequence.Like a set of backbends, then twists and foward bends ?[/QUOTE]

Layman,
The answer is yes, but let’s take a different angle to your question and it may elucidate the second: what is the purpose of a counter-pose?

There’s a muscular phenomena yoga asana makes the most of called post isometric relaxation. It’s also sometimes referred to as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, or PNF, which is a contemporary, clinical term form something old as dirt. That is, muscles held in isometric (or static) contraction will for a short time afterward lengthen in response. The counter pose then generally takes advantage of that “automatic” lengthening by holding the relaxed-length of those muscles, sometimes even stretching them in the direction they are lengthening. It’s the basis of any good asana, counter-asana sequence: taking advantage of that muscle energy while it’s there The longer you hold the pose, the deeper the muscle fibers will respond, i.e., closer to the bone.

I hope that helps,
siva

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;52949]Some days you eat the fish and other days the fish eats you.[/QUOTE]

I do not swim in river/lakes. No chance of eating by fish.

But I do eat them. Prefer fried with bit of spices added :slight_smile:

Thanks Siva!