Impossible Postures

Dear Yogis!

This week I taught an impossible and phenomenal posture… for most bodies, for most energies, for most normal people, it’s an impossibility. Yogis, however, love a challenge! The posture is Visvamitrasana, named after sage Visvamitra who also liked a challenge.   

I can’t do this posture but that’s no barrier! It’s a splits posture and my hamstrings spend most of their time laughing at me. Regularly, though, I teach people more flexible than me or altogether more ambitious so understanding how to teach a posture is a necessity… in my line of work.

Let me describe the posture. Imagine you’re starting by holding plank pose but your right leg is on your right shoulder and your left hand is up in the air and your torso facing the side, not the floor. Ugh! What on earth can the story of this sage possibly be!

Here it is: King Visvamitra decided to steal a cow called Nandini. Nandini, however, 'stood on her hind legs and out came an entire army of fierce warriors. These warriors swiftly defeated Visvamitra and his army. This incident made a deep impression on the king and he renounced his kingdom and lived in isolation as penance. Unfortunately, each time he progressed and was given yogic powers his temper got the best of him and he was again was left with nothing.'

OK. It’s a story about slow, frustrating progression and overcoming ego… the perfect name for many postures, to be honest! Approach with caution! Do lots of hamstring stretches and hip openers. Do twists. Do Compass Pose and Gate Pose from the second series. Modify, modify modify. Use blocks and bolsters anywhere and everywhere. It’s a posture taught in a workshop I did at the weekend with Danny Paradise. Most people laughed and fell out of their attempts. Those that got it were cheered and clapped. That’s how yoga should be. Have fun!

Classes

Come to class! There’s a massively easy way of doing this posture which we can do during the stretchy classes. Come to this morning’s Ashtanga and I’ll tag it on to the end of the class. Come and see! On the booking page you’ll find all classes. You can book here.

Yoga in the News

Lancashire Business View has: How does yoga increase productivity? ‘Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “Smart, forward-thinking employers are investing in staff wellbeing, and those who do tend to save money in the long run” Across industries, the highest annual costs of mental health per employee are in the finance, insurance and real estate industries (£3,300) and on average public sector costs per employee are slightly higher than private sector costs (£1,716 compared to £1,652). Having health benefits that have been proven throughout history, yoga has been gaining prominence in workplaces worldwide. There are many benefits of incorporating Yoga in your workplace. From increased energy levels to increased productivity’.

Everett Post has: Paul McCartney to be featured in episode of 'Cosmic Kids. ‘Paul McCartney will be featured in a new episode of the Cosmic Kids children’s yoga series that premieres on Thursday, August 18, at 9 a.m. ET on YouTube and is inspired by the rock legend’s 2021 children’s book, Grandude’s Green Submarine.’

The Metro has: How to get comfortable being alone with your thoughts. ‘‘Start slow, set a timer and sit with your thoughts uninterrupted for just two minutes to “exercise” your mental tolerance. ‘If this feels uncomfortable, help your body manage the stress response with deep breathing techniques, which will activate the stress-reducing parasympathetic nervous system. ‘Writing down thoughts and feelings every day can be helpful also.’’