Baby pose is a very relaxing forward bending asana. It’s accessible for all of us, perhaps not at once. This easy forward bending asana can serve as a counter pose after intensive back bending. To put the arms next to the body makes this asana even more relaxing. With closed eyes and deep breathing also the mind relaxes.
All leg behind head poses are forward bending asanas. It can take decades to get there. These poses require stretched legs and a stretched back. Yet the hip flexibility is evenly important, too. To enlarge the hip flexibility is a further challenge. Many forward bending asanas have more than one challenge. They can have a balancing challenge in addition or they can be combined with an inversion. Stretching and opening the hips require time. We learn to become patient. There are exercises that prepare such asanas like supta kurmasana. I’ll write about it in posts to come.
Being able to bend forward is also a preparation for handstand. It’s good exercise for the vinyasa like floating forwards and backwards. In the above picture I shift my weight to the hands. I hope that one day my feet will leave the ground…Working on a stronger core could be a next step…….All these possibilities are a huge motivation to work on something that ‘boring’ like forward bending. :)
Yesterday I finished a page on this blog. It shows all the asanas of primary Ashtanga Yoga. Primary has mainly forward bending asanas. When one forward asana improves all the others profit from this progress as well. Applying a scientifically approved stretching technique can speed up the progress. To hold an asana longer than only five breaths, but up to five minutes can speed up the progress. Stretching can be done twice a day. To stretch only is not recommended. Strength training balances stretching. Holding an asana longer can be easily integrated in the morning practice. It interrupts the flow. I differentiate between learning sessions and performing sessions.
Today is Friday and the Ashtanga yogis practice primary. So did I. The vinyasa are the challenge these days. I got too weak. This is why next month I like to focus on the vinyasa…….