Yoga Alignment : Myths, Misconceptions, and Missed Opportunities - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Yoga Alignment : Myths, Misconceptions, and Missed Opportunities

Instead of using your body to perform poses, use poses to explore embodiment

Alignment cues are never absolute or universal, but we can try our best Alignment cues can be questions rather than answers Alignment Re - Thinks Alignment cues create possibilities more than prevent hidden dangers Alignment cues can create a meditative focus Alignment cues travel both ways: brain to body and body to brain

1. Tuck your tailbone 2. Draw your shoulders down Ten Alignment 3. Align the front heel to the centre of the back arch Cues to 4. Keep your feet parallel Question 5. Draw your navel in towards your spine 6. Turn your hand [any] way 7. Don’t let your hips move in the twist/move your hips in the twist 8. Spread the weight across the four corners of your feet 9. Hug your elbows in towards your waist in chaturanga 10. Tilt your pelvis forward for forward bend/back for backbend

Structural Variation : Hip Socket Source: Paul Grilley

Structural Variation : Femur Shape, length, angle of femur and shape, direction, and depth of hip socket will affect hip alignment

Structural Variation : Scapula Acromion process variation will affect shoulder abduction

Physical or Nervous System? What is being strengthened? What is the What is being stretched? intention ? What are the obstacles? What is the goal: Internal or External?

• Leverage • Adjustment from teacher • Gravity + Body Weight + Time • Wall, Floor, Mat • Bone to bone • Momentum and Speed Troublemakers • High Repetition and Lack of Variability • Lack of load/weight • Ignoring warning signs • Ignoring average ROM

Pain Discomfort Pain vs. • Hurts during and after • Less pain after discomfort • Sharp • Slight soreness • Tension in whole body • A bit of heat • Cannot breathe • Heavy breathing • Feeling of electricity or • Feeling of numbness (nerves) release/catharsis • Radiating • Tension subsides • Feel like screaming or crying • Improved ROM after out • In the soft tissue • In the joint

Task-based inquiry based on intention “Today we will try this…” Practice Old way vs. New Way and Establish some anchors teaching • Internal • Core techniques • Breath • Regional awareness • External • Weight bearing • Outside objects or focal points