Posts Tagged ‘seated poses’

Kandasana (Knotted Root Pose)

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Kandasana (Knotted Root Pose) registers as 39* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty.

Iyengar says, “As the pelvic and other joints of the leg are rotated, it takes a long time to master the pose.” My guess is that it probably takes about 20 years to master Kandasana. Look at Iyengar’s legs! Wowzers!

Iyengar starts in Baddha Konasana, with his feet splayed open like a book – the soles of his feet facing up. I’m still working on this most preliminary stage. Until my feet completely open, I’m not ready to start drawing my feet toward my navel.

If you, like me, are puzzled by the physical possibility of Kandasana, remember: working toward Kandasana is a slow, step by step, process. It may take years! Shoot, it may not happen! In the meantime, enjoy the steps along the way – the gradual unfurling of your feet, the subtle opening of your hips, and the expansive patience generated through this practice.

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Surprising Seated Poses: Vamadevasana II (Pose Dedicated to the Sage, Vamadeva II)

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

Vamadevasana II (Pose dedicated to the sage, Vamadeva II) registers as 15* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty.

Vamadevasana II is an intense stretch for your hips, your knees and your feet. If Padmasana, Bharadvajasana and Vamadevasana I aren’t comfortable for you, Vamadevasana II may be too strenuous. But, if each of those poses feels comfortable, then Vamadevasana II may feel delicious! Despite the contorted appearance of the pose, I think Vamadevasana II feels great on my knees and hips once I’m ready for it.

Throughout this project to do all the poses in Light on Yoga, I’ve discovered many new poses that, while seemingly difficult, I find rather enjoyable. Which poses have surprised you with their juiciness, despite the way they look?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vamadevasana I (Pose Dedicated to the Sage, Vamadeva I)

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Vamadevasana I (Pose Dedicated to the Sage, Vamadeva I) registers as 15* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty.

BKS Iyengar instructs the practitioner to place the left leg in Mulabandhasana and the right leg in Padmasana. If, like me, Mulabandhasana isn’t quite accessible, try sitting on your left foot instead or placing your left foot in close to your pelvis.

Vamadevasana I bears similarities to Bharadvajasana, but placing your foot underneath your pelvis, challenges your balance in this pose! If Bhardvajasana is in your practice, give Vamadevasana I a shot and observe the not-so-subtle differences a subtle adjustment can make.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Yogadandasana (Yogi’s Staff Pose)

Saturday, March 5th, 2011

Yogadandasana (Yogi’s Staff Pose) registers as 19* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty.

Iyengar says, “It takes time and practice to be comfortable in the asana, but when you are it is restful… In this pose, the spine is rested and the body relaxed.”

On first glance, Yogadandasana doesn’t look “restful” by any stretch of the imagination. But, Iyengar is right. Once your body is open and flexible enough to get into the pose, you’ll be surprised by how comfortable it is. Before you do Yogadandasana, ensure you feel comfortable in Virasana, Bharadvajasana and Padmasana. Once those poses feel easeful, give Yogadandasana a shot. Start with your left leg in Virasana, your right leg in Padmasana. Then start raising your Padmasana leg up toward your right armpit. The second you feel the least bit of discomfort in your knees or ankles, back off!

How do you feel in Yogadandasana? What are your tips for accessing this pose?

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Viranchyasana II (Pose Dedicated to Brahma, II)

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

Viranchyasana II (Pose Dedicated to Brahma, II) registers as 10* on BKS Iyengar’s 60* scale of difficulty in Light on Yoga.

Viranchyasana II is the same as Viranchyasana I except for one variation: the leg that was in half Padmasana in Viranchyasana I is now in half Virasana. Practitioners who have difficulty with the half Padmasana leg in Viranchyasana I may want to explore Viranchyasana II as a less strenuous pose.

While both of these yoga poses present plenty of challenges, which of the two feels more accessible to you?

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