Yoga Challenge Day 4: Seated Archer
Here is a chest opener that helps to combat rounding of the shoulders for a sunken posture. Archer brings the chest up and out and makes space in between our shoulder blades, removing tension from the shoulders and back of the body.
Archer reminds us that yoga is different from almost anything else we do in life. Yoga isn't about achieving ("Look, I clasped my hands!") or failing ("I can barely bring my arms around to my back."). Yoga is about accepting where we are today, this day, in this moment, and celebrating what we CAN do instead of what we can't. As soon as we compare ourselves to our neighbors, or the instructor, or what we used to be able to do, we lose. As soon as we learn to rejoice in what is possible, and accept the limitations or gifts our body has to offer us, we win.
Leave a comment to be entered to win a free DVD. If you leave a comment each day of the 13-day challenge, you will win a free pass to Yogapalooza 2010!
Buy the full Yoga for Cancer DVD
Archer reminds us that yoga is different from almost anything else we do in life. Yoga isn't about achieving ("Look, I clasped my hands!") or failing ("I can barely bring my arms around to my back."). Yoga is about accepting where we are today, this day, in this moment, and celebrating what we CAN do instead of what we can't. As soon as we compare ourselves to our neighbors, or the instructor, or what we used to be able to do, we lose. As soon as we learn to rejoice in what is possible, and accept the limitations or gifts our body has to offer us, we win.
Leave a comment to be entered to win a free DVD. If you leave a comment each day of the 13-day challenge, you will win a free pass to Yogapalooza 2010!
Buy the full Yoga for Cancer DVD
Comment
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Comment by Regina Marie Delfino on April 15, 2010 at 11:11am -
jes, I agree. they should show her back in this video, as that is visually where the pose is.
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Comment by jes on April 15, 2010 at 11:04am -
Very few people are going to be able to do this without a strap or using clothing. I would have liked to hear information cautioning people not to strain or contort/over arch upper back to get into the position. I think showing the pose from the back and the side would be helpful.
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Comment by lorraine on April 15, 2010 at 10:52am -
If you don't have a strap, you may also use a man's tie, a scarf, a belt... You go only as far as you can release tension with your breath. If the pose becomes painful you have gone too far. It's about the journey, not the destination.
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Comment by Regina Marie Delfino on April 15, 2010 at 10:46am
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Any details/tips for using a strap? I have used washcloths in the past... any other suggestions? Also, how far should I push myself to get my hands to touch? I
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Comment by lorraine on April 15, 2010 at 10:41am
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I often hold on to a strap to connect my hands in this way behind my back. We carry great amounts of tension in our shoulders.. Opening them up with Seated Archer allows some of that tension to release and our spines to elongate, therefore walking taller.
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Comment by Carol Stark on April 15, 2010 at 10:23am
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This pose is always amazing to me as one side is always so much easier to do. Haven't been able to figure out why but always have easily grabbed my left arm behind, but when the right is behind, I have a 2 inch gap!
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Comment by Metal Yoga on April 15, 2010 at 10:16am -
I need to do this more often, I can't clasp my hands on either side!
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Comment by Veronica Rottman on April 15, 2010 at 10:15am -
Its very common to feel more open/strong on different sides of the body!
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Comment by Karin Tang on April 15, 2010 at 7:24am
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I can only clasped my hands for one side, for the other side I need to use a strap. This limitation does not affect my pose as long as I remember to keep my chest up when doing the pose....this pose really opens the chest..thanks!
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