BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Yoga Cobra Pose

Dear Lisa,

I completely agree with Monica on all the points she made. Some modifications that I would suggest for this is to play around with having the toes curled or uncurled. I understand that the author of this book is making certain points, however I don't agree with the idea that a posture has to be done the same way in every body, simply because no two bodies are the same.

Another modification that I would almost insist on is keeping the gaze forward and not tilting the head back. By keeping the chin down that will help to get the shoulders to move down the back AND it will take the unnecessary pressure off of the cervical spine. I'm of the very strong opinion that there is absolutely no need to drop the head back like that in any posture. The neck muscles need to be strong in order to reduce the strain there on the spine, and sadly most don't have very much strength in the neck. Doing this to the neck can cause subtle damage that can cause pain or aggravate any existing conditions of the neck.

A way to strengthen the neck is to practice camel without dropping the head back. Instead keep the neck long with the gaze on the ceiling. Being in a back bend with the neck actually working to keep the head held up with strengthen those neck muscles.

I like modifications and I teach as many of them as I can get into a class because a little modification can go a long way for the student that needs it. I have a hard time with any instructor that insists on a posture being done in only one way.

These are just some thoughts to add to the conversation and to your considerations

Deborah

Monica -

A guy at our gym is a massage artist on the side. He and Bob got to be friends and Bob suggested I give him a try to help support his business. The guy was pretty neat in that he's studied all over the world, he's in his mid-60s I would say and has a lot of interesting background. He had great advice for me on a few things I talked with him about when he was doing the massage.

He recommended the book when we were done as a way to proactively stay healthy and I said I'd take a look. But as you might see from my review if you see it there on Amazon, I wasn't blown away by the suggestions.

Also I heard from Bob afterward that the massage guy was being a bit grumpy that I didn't immediately follow every suggestion he made (changing my chair out for a ball seat etc) and that he was also grumpy with another friend who had seen him and who also didn't follow his advice immediately and thoroughly.

I tend to resist people who want to direct me like a marionette So I haven't gone back to him. And I think the fact that he felt this book was some sort of a Bible with perfect information also causes me to pause.

Deborah -

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I will definitely work on this. While I think the book isn't a golden recipe for eternal life, I do agree that adding more simple stretches into my free moments would be a good thing. So having a collection of quick things I can do while waiting for my tea to microwave or so on sounds good to me. I like to maximize every moment, in a gentle serene way of course

Lisa,

I like the image you present of gently and serenely caring for yourself as the tea warms

Have you ever considered adding Yin Yoga to your regimen? It's a very gentle style of yoga that works into the connective tissues, is calming to the nervous system, and is really very effective at causing relaxation in the body while at the same time stretching deep into the joints and into the connective tissues.

I understand the purpose of the author, and like you I agree with the need to gently care for the body with stretches. Yin Yoga is a very excellent means to do this without putting your body into any unnecessary strain. Just a thought!

Deborah

Hey Lisa

Deborah had some awesome suggestions and what you're saying is totally what I try to teach my clients. There is no one way to do anything. We all have different bodies and come to our yoga practice or to personal trainers with different issues (stress, injuries, cancer, adrenal fatigue, post pregnancy weight, depression, etc.).

It's important for each person to modify to any exercise or type of exercise to their level and their specific needs and it's also important to find small ways to take care of your body throughout the day as you said.

This is why I'm always going on about doing 5-10 min. of mobility daily or just anything that boosts health and restores your well being daily or hourly or as often as you need.

I think when people begin to see movement as a way to health they begin to find time for more healthy movement throughout the day vs. finding ways to avoid exercise.

You're definitely on the right path. It's all about balance no matter what type of exercise you choose.