04/09/2026
Over a quick post-practice chat, a student said:
“My Bow Pose feels stuck… and Eight-Angle feels impossible.”
Two very different poses—same secret:
shape comes last. The foundation comes first. 🔥✅
Perfect Your Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) — the “secrets”
What I correct most:
Knees splay out → low back gets jammed
Ribs flare → you “bend” in the lumbar instead of opening the front body
Pulling with arms only → legs stay passive, pose feels heavy
My key cues:
Keep knees hip-width (or slightly in)
Think “kick back” more than “pull up”
Lift chest forward + up, soften ribs, breathe
Fly High with Eight-Angle (Astavakrasana) — the arm-balance truth
If you’re scared to tip forward, you’ll always feel stuck.
This pose is built on a strong, controlled lean.
My key cues:
Build a firm “shelf” with the arms
Hug legs in, core on, gaze steady
Shift forward with confidence—then extend
Prep like a teacher (before you chase the final shape)
If either pose feels unstable, I have students drill:
Chaturanga alignment (slow lowers, elbows in, shoulders not dipping)
Hip + shoulder opening basics (simple, consistent mobility)
Core engagement patterns (hollow/boat variations)
Master the basics, then the “advanced” becomes predictable. 🤯✨
Want me to cue-check you? Drop which pose you’re working on (Bow or Eight-Angle) and what feels hardest—back, shoulders, wrists, or hips.
