I've been thinking a lot lately about what my shoulder stand looks like from vantage points other than my own. Shoulder stand is NOT a pose you can use mirrors to see yourself. So today after class I stacked up a few blocks and got out the little camera I always carry with me in hopes I could catch a few snaps to give me a better view.
First a little down-dog to check camera set up. Besides that I'm loving down-dog lately. It seems to provide something I need right now as instinctually it's where I want to be...most of the time in my practice and occasionally randomly during my day.
What I discovered is that 10 seconds is NOT a very long time to go from pressing the shutter button to setting up a mindful pose. (My stance was a little short here as a result of rushing.) So I had to recruit the help of my 2 year old. Luckily she's careful, is totally infatuated with cameras (much like her mommy), and is good at following simple instructions. She helped me take 2 photos of my shoulder stand before my battery pooped out.
Other than the washout caused by the bright morning sun coming in our big south facing windows, this one provided the shot I was interested in...a view of the alignment of my spine and the relationship of my toes to the rest of my body. At least its something to give me an idea. I'm hoping to get to the studio this weekend to take class from one of our other instructors. Afterward I'm hoping she can give me some feedback on her thoughts on my alignment.
I'd be curious to hear yours too!
namaste
3 comments:
I think your two-year old might be an especially gifted one - that is a Really Good photo!
Your down dog looks open and comfy - wish my shoulder girdle was that open...
As to your shoulderstand, it looks stable and comfortable too - can't see what your neck is doing because of the light though.
I find to get my legs further back, and lenghten higher in ss, it's useful to me to practice a bridge vinyasa first (ie up and down with the breath) to open my thoracic spin and quads, and warm up the muscles in my back.
The other thing I am working with in all my asanas at the moment is (gentle) mula bandha from the arches up - and I find it makes a spectacular difference to shoulderstand to hold a block lightly between the thighs to find a soft mula bandha.
Is that useful? Hope so!
xxx
Thanks Nadine. That's all very helpful! I could use to practice mula banda a little more too. In fact I was just having a conversation with a friend about that last night. My pelvic floor is by far the weakest area of my body and as a result...well you know.
Hi. Just looking for info about shoulderstand, but was struck by your comment about your weak pelvic floor. I've been doing tons of research about pelvic floor issues.
My name is Mary Biederstadt. I suffered for many years with painful sex, constipation, hemorrhoids, GERD, and painful urination. I had no idea that these symptoms were all related, and that I was well on my way to pelvic prolapse.
I've started a blog to inform people about their Psoas and Piriformis muscles, and how to stretch them. These muscles and others in the area are what truly support the pelvic organs and holds us up down there!
Please go read http://mystretchedbody.blogspot.com/search/label/Hernia%20Pelvic%20Prolapse%20Gerd
Post a Comment