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Dear Adi,
I have been doing yoga for over three years now and in the last two have managed to do yoga anywhere from 3 to 6 days a week. I was wondering, will I EVER be able to have my heels touch the ground when I do downward dog?? I am beginning to get a bit discouraged.
- Pasman, Cambridge, Canada
Dear Pasman,
It is not the destination that brings us happiness, but the journey along the way that develops incredible awareness and joy! I still do not touch my heels to the ground in downward dog. When your downward dog is long so there is room for your spine to stretch, it is quite a challenge to touch your heels to the floor. The backs of the legs have to be very long in downward dog for the heels to touch. The more you engage the fronts of your legs the more your hamstrings will feel safe and supported to stretch and let go. With quiet attentiveness you will start to recognize the areas of your body that need more support and those that need to be balanced. That developed awareness becomes progressive purification.
Victory comes from refining your experience in the moment, refining your being in each breath. For a lot of us we become very attached to the final “look of a pose” that we miss the point of the teachings. Don’t be discouraged by not “achieving” an idea or a look. Yoga is the path of Self Realization, the postures are simply a vehicle for self study and introspection. Enjoy the journey and be freed from the outcome. Thank you for your support and commitment to Yoga Today!
Namaste,
Adi
Dear Sarah,
I have often problems with my sciatica. I do your class “prevent sciatica…” and afterwards it feels much better but I am wondering if there are positions I should avoid. Thank you, Sabrina
Ladies,
How can I improve my Cobra Pose?
I have been practicing Kundalini yoga (about one year) and have done lots of spinal flexes – But my Cobra Pose can on some days – be so very disappointing to me – I can feel my posture is all wrong (I practice alone)the curve of my back is all wrong – can you guide me with this? Namaste
Some personal advice. I was having a similar issue but then went to a Yoga conference and was told by one of the instructors that my feet were too far back. Simply moved them forward 10cm and boom! Heels touch the ground. COULD be a flexibility hamstring issue, but possibly if you’ve been doing Yoga without a teacher present (like I was) your feet are too far back.
Brad, as a yoga instructor, I find that many students put a little too much space between hands & feet in Down Dog. You’re right! As soon as I tell them to walk their feet in a little, it makes a huge difference! Plus, it’s easier for them to step forward into Uttanasana in Sun Salutation.
How often and how much yoga should I be doing as a beginner ? How do I get those creaky body parts flexible quickly ? Thank you.