Ask a Yoga Question is a series on YBC where I answer readers' yoga questions. If you have a question you'd like answered, ask it here on the forum or down in the comments below. Alternatively, if you're looking for a quicker response, ask the YBC Community.
Writing you from beautiful Costa Rica this morning. It's quite windy and there's been intermittent rain (#jungleproblems) but the view is spectacular and I can't wait to welcome the students today. After this, I'll go put together the yoga retreat swag bags. Speaking of swag, if you're interested in our subscription box program we're getting underway, fill this out to have YBC-approved yoga lifestyle products sent your way this summer! We're working with small businesses whose products we love and whose missions we support to bring you items that will inspire your practice and life. We're only going to have a select amount available to start, so this is your chance to get on the list to be the first to know when they're ready to rock and roll. And, don't forget to enter this awesome giveaway. Ok, let's get down to business.
This week's questions:
Q1, :10 I have been practising yoga for 3 years, I don't practise every day, just 2 times a week, but I do exercise every day. My goal is Scorpion Pose, but it looks muuuch easier than it actually is! So instead of Scorpion Pose I am now practising forearm stand. At the beginning I could neither get my legs up nor hold the posture for few seconds. I am working on it and I have already strengthened my shoulders, back and abdominals to get my butt and legs up, but now I don't know how to hold the stability. Which muscles should I engage the most? How far away should my forearms be? Is it correct to keep practicing against the wall until I get more confidence? Should I arch my torso? I sometimes feel the tension between my shoulder blades, is it okay? I would really appreciate your tutorial how to get into this pose and how to improve it.
A1, :58.
Q2, 7:25 Hi Candace! I cannot sit comfortably in a squat with both feet planted on the floor. I can't seem to bend my ankles much more than 90° (my hips aren't tight, by the way - I do lots of hip openers). Could you please recommend exercises or poses to increase ankle flexibility? Or is this an anatomical problem? Thank you!
A2, 7:44
Q3, 11:16 So I am working on the 31 day strength project and my chosen strength is a supported headstand. It is coming along nicely, but now I want to fine tune my core strength and posture. When I am going into the supported headstand, I walk my feet until my hips are above my shoulders, but I notice that my upper back is pretty rounded and my lower back as well. Basically, I can't get my hips/ butt to straighten until I kick my feet up (I have been videoing myself and I have seen progress). I am wondering, how do I get my upper back and my lower back to straighten? Am I tight in my lower back or my hips maybe? I am also pretty weak in the core so I am sure that has something to do with it. Thanks!
A3, 12:00
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