B.K.S. Iyengar

Benefits of the splits

Dynamic and static side split, April 2023

A few years ago, I had several appointments with a physical therapist. In the waiting room, I met a middle-aged woman who looked pretty beat up. I asked her if I could ask her what was wrong. Most of the time we like to talk about what's on our minds. According to her, the woman was relatively athletic. She jogged a lot. At Christmas, she went grocery shopping. In the vegetable department there was a spring onion on the floor on which she slipped. Involuntarily, she went into a straddle. Her hip broke so badly that she was asked if she could be operated on in the university hospital in front of students. She agreed to it. But even after the operation she could walk only with pain. Now physiotherapy should help.

I thought to myself that this would not have happened to me.

Many runners (track and field athletes) or people who focus on strength training don't stretch enough.

Especially in accidents, a stretched body can prevent broken bones.

And what does B.K.S. Iyengar say? His book is still on my desk.

I quote from B.K.S. Iyengar's book 'Light on Yoga', page 218:

Effects (of sanakonasana, note from me):

In this pose the hip joints are worked and the legs learn to move freely in all directions. The spine is stretched. Any defect in the lower part of the spine is cured by this. Like hanumanasana, the pose invigorates the leg muscles and gives good form to the legs. It prevents hernias and takes away sciatic pain. It makes the blood pulsate in the pelvic area and in the sexual organs and keeps them healthy.

To the picture:

You can swing the leg up dynamically and then hold it. The dynamic part warms up the leg and the pelvic area. All dynamic exercises also give mental momentum and motivation.

How to get into samakonasana?

Samakonasana, April 2023

I consulted the master B.K.S. Iyengar. The bible 'Light on Yoga' is at hand. B.K.S. Iyengar writes on Sanakonasana:

Technique:

1. Stand in tadasana. Place the hands on the hips and extend the legs sideways as far as possible.

2. Place the palms on the floor and, with an exhalation, extend the legs further and further until you are sitting with both legs on the ground so that they form a straight line. The whole back of the legs, especially the knees, should be on the floor.

3. Place the palms of your hands in front of your chest and remain in this position for a few seconds.

4. Place the palms on the floor, raise the hips and bring the legs closer together until you are standing in Uttanasana again. Then stand in Tadasana and relax.

Source: Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar, page 218, translated by DeepL.

There are pictures for each posture. It is clear to see that B.K.S. Iyengar makes a hollow back before going deep into the posture.

With the hands on the floor, it is much easier to stretch the legs out to the side.

I usually use two towels under my feet to slide to the side more easily. The leg muscles are tense.

How you get into a position often makes all the difference.

With hands on the floor for support, it seems to me that there is much less chance of injury.

Still, there is work to be done. The floor still seems a long way off.