Yoga Therapy Tip: Do The Leg Work

Use a strap in your standing poses to work your legs like never before

 Standing poses are the foundation for all other yoga poses.  The things you learn in standing poses link to forward bends, twists, backbends, and inversions.  Technically speaking, if you can stand straight you can balance on your head.I don't have to tell you though that must of us don't stand well.  Our posture has been tweaked from years of bad habits, lifestyle changes, and cell phone use.   What's a yogi to do then if they want to learn the fundamentals and progress in their practice?  Look to the legs.  If the legs are asleep or not working as well as they could then everything up the body doesn't stand a chance.  Even when we think we're working our legs well enough there's more work that can be done. Here's how to use a long strap in similar ways in two standing poses, Extended Triangle and Intense Side Stretch:

1. Make a large loop in your strap.
2. Take it around the front of the leading leg's hip crease.  Place it right into the hip crease, not on the thigh.
3. Take the other end and loop it around the arch of the other foot.
4. Step your feet a comfortable distance apart as you would for either pose, i.e., both feet should be on the floor and none of your leg muscles should feel over-stretched.  Both legs should be straight in these poses.  This doesn't mean to lock the knees!  Brace the knees with your leg muscles.
5. Tighten the strap so it stays taught.  REALLY tighten it!  No wimpy yogis here.
6. Work your legs as if you want to separate them.  For example, in Intense Side stretch (see 2nd and 3rd photos below) the front foot needs to feet like it pressing forward into a gas pedal and the back foot need to press back.  Create tension between the feet as if you wanted to tear the mat apart between them.
7. Hold for several breaths then switch sides.  Repeat a few times per side in each pose until you get the feel for the leg action.  If you're leg muscles aren't a little sore the next day from the effort give it another go!

Yoga Pose: Extended Triangle Pose or Utthita Trikonasana, with a strap

(Click on the photo for a full view)

  

Yoga Pose: Intense Side Stretch or Parsvottonasana, with a strap

 Step 1: Half-bend (Click on the photo for a full view)

  

Step 2: Parallel to the floor (Click on the photo for a full view)

  Want more?In my newsletter that goes out every Thursday I share personal stories and free tips on how to let yoga into your life.  Sign up to receive the newsletter using the link on this page on the right of the menu.  Do you have a yoga therapy question? Email it me at info@kimmcneilyoga.ca.Share how this tip has helped you on my Facebook Page or Instagram.   If you think this post could help someone you know, please share it using the nifty social media buttons above.