This pose is loved by some… and avoided by many. When you first start out, it can be a little bit difficult while you build up your flexibility, but once you start getting the hang of it, you will find that it is a pose to look forward to!
Hot yoga is known for providing weight-loss results, and many people think this is mainly due to the excessive amount of sweating that goes on. While this does help, it is actually poses like this one (that engage the thyroid gland) that are really helping us to achieve weight-loss results. Our thyroid controls our hormone levels, our metabolism, our digestion and our stress levels, and by compressing it we are helping to regulate these things. So, remember to give your thyroid a workout with the all-important forehead-to-knee connection, and you will master this pose in no time!
Benefits:
Lengthens spine
Compresses thyroid gland
Improves digestion
Improves concentration
Increases flexibility through back of the legs
Relieves lower back pain
Increases blood circulation to the brain
Improves balance
Common mistakes:
Forehead not touching the knee
Instructions:
Standing with the feet together, bring the hands behind the back and place them into prayer between the shoulder blades. OPTION: Hold opposite elbows behind the back.
On an exhale, step forward 3 feet with the right foot and tuck the chin to the chest.
Tip forward from the hips, keeping the back straight and the core engaged.
As the torso lowers, start to bend the right knee as much as needed to bring the forehead to touch it. TIP: This is the most important part of this pose. It doesn’t matter how bent the knee is, as long as there is a forehead-to-knee connection.
Once this connection is made, release the hands to either side of the front foot for balance, then bring them into prayer in front of the front foot, fingertips touching the mat. Keep the back leg straight and supportive.
Notice the constriction through the throat area and concentrate on breathing normally. Tuck the belly towards the spine and close over the eyes to practice balance without one of the senses.
To reverse out of the pose, engage through the core and lift the torso from the hips, keeping a straight back and the hands together in prayer to point towards the sky.
Take an inhale and on the exhale step the right leg back. Repeat on the opposite side.
Oh! We forgot to mention that this pose is a great one for runners to increase leg flexibility and prevent injuries. Do you live in SA? We have a PPHY team going for the City2Bay this year, and we’d love for you to join us! We’ll even offer you a discounted registration price! Just email:
peakphysiquecontentdeveloper@gmail.com
Let’s achieve some goals together!
Namaste!