Let's be honest—how many times have you thought you nailed a yoga pose only to realize later that you were nowhere close? It's like proudly assembling a piece of furniture, only to realize that you’re missing an entire shelf at the end. But hey, that's part of the journey, right?
This week, our topic is one of my favorite postures—Low Lunge, or Anjaneyasana in Sanskrit. It's the perfect blend of strength, flexibility, openness and, if done right, a touch of grace. But let's be real, we don't always hit the mark. At least not at first. And that's okay! You don’t know what you don’t know.
In my classes, I often see people setting up this pose with 90-degree angles at the knees and hips. While that might seem like a good idea, it's not quite what we're aiming for. To really get the benefits, you need to move the front foot forward so you can push your hips forward allowing you to lift and open your chest, creating a gentle backbend. It's like channeling your inner superhero, ready to take flight.
Blocks can make this pose more accessible and help you prevent injury of your knee. If you've ever felt like you're just stacking weight onto your knee and not feeling the stretch, try stepping your foot forward a bit more with blocks under your hands. By doing this, you take the weight out of the back knee and distribute it to your front foot and blocks. You might be surprised at how much that simple adjustment changes the entire experience—such a small thing, but what a difference it makes!
The next time you're in class or practicing at home, give Low Lunge another shot with these tweaks in mind. You'll feel the difference not just in your body but in your confidence too. And remember, it's perfectly fine to laugh at yourself if you wobble or lose your balance. It’s part of the fun and the learning process.
Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just starting your practice, these little adjustments can make a big difference in what you get out of the pose. So, embrace the journey, the mistakes, and the moments of "Aha!" After all, yoga is as much about enjoying the process as it is about perfecting the poses.
Here's to another week of mindfulness and self-love.
Namaste.