One-legged standing poses include vrksasana (tree pose) garudasana (eagle pose, shown), ashwathasana (fig tree pose) and natarajasana (dancer's pose).
Here we look at why a balance is an important part of a yoga sequence.
Alignment - imagine standing in Tree Pose (vrksasana) with your right leg lifted. Your centre of gravity has to shift from just behind your navel to the left in order to allow you to remain in this balance. We can use our arms to help maintain a more secure balance.
Strength - the glutes (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus) need to be strong in order to maintain stability. One of the best ways to strengthen them is to practice the poses often.
Focus - when you are in a one-legged balance and holding still, there is little, if any, room in the mind for anything other than this current moment.
Tips:
Use a firm level surface for one-legged balancing poses.
Keep your gaze gently fixed on one point.
If you still have trouble balancing try these hints as you need them:
Use a wall for support.
Bend both knees slightly before lifting one leg.
Keep the knee of your standing leg bent.
Put extra weight on the outer edge of your standing foot.
Hold your hands out to your sides like a tightrope walker.
Comentários