Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga: Self-introduction and a question

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Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga:
Self-introduction and a question

sureshcsharma
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Mar 11, 2003, 3:05 AM

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Self-introduction and a question	Can't Post

I am Suresh C. Sharma from India (Sonipat, Haryana), 47 and have started Yogasanas just 30 days ago. Though I can perform Padmasana and Salambh Sarvangasana very well, even padmasana in salambh sarvangasana comfortably; I find it impossible to do forward bending postures, cannot touch toes with fingers - can someone kindly advise me ?

Best,
Suresh
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Bryan Alexander
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Mar 13, 2003, 10:14 AM

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I am Bryan Alexander, age 40, from Atlanta, USA. Mr. Sharma, pleased to meet you. It is not unusual for a person to be quite flexible or strong in some areas of the body but not in others. Steady, frequent practice of postures that stretch the backs of the legs will allow you, over time, to do forward bending postures.

I have a weak lower back, and so I must tell you that you must exercise great care with the spine when practicing toward forward bends. Follow a teacher's instructions closely. Namaste.

lexer
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Mar 23, 2003, 2:29 AM

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Hi Suresh,

I was exactly the same in that when I started yoga over 4 years ago I found padmasana (and most sideways hip openers like trikonasana) relatively easy yet my forward bending was awful - i.e. I could only get down to about me knees. In fact my instructor used to make me do uttanasana with my fingers against the wall for quite some time since my forward bend was otherwise just a forward hunch.

It has taken a long time however I can now just about get my fingers to the floor and can catch my feet in the likes of janu sirsasana and paschimottanasana. Being able to reach the toes makes such things as sun salutations and seated forward bends so much more pleasurable. I think the people who have always flexible with their forward bends don't realise what a blessing it is to have the mobility in this department!!!

What actually helped me most was actually home practice (once I'd been doing yoga a year or two and knew the poses), in that I could have sessions where I concentrate on forward bends. However, as Bryan says, one has to be very careful that one doesn't over do the effort in all the enthusiasm since it's quite easy to pick up an injury.

Anyway, good luck with your practice.

Alan.

vsnet
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Aug 10, 2003, 12:23 AM

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Re: Self-introduction and a question [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi suresh,

Mr. Iyengar always says that , it is not important how flexible you are to do an asana in its classical form, but how much you are aware of your body while doing that.

Mastering an asana does not exactly mean that "your head touching your knees and hands touching the feet in forward bends". If I am correct, at your age, you need awareness of your body limitations first. Go into any asana slowly. When you feel the body's "first" resistance, stay there for few breaths, wait for the resistance go away, then move an inch or less into the asana, feel how you are. Just like that master the asana.

Listen to your body before listening to anything.

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