08/02/2026
it feels good to move ♥️ it’s been a bit.
eka pada galavasana (flying pigeon) was really hard for me when I first tried it. Learning not to sink into flexibility has taken years. With no expectations, we played with the mechanics of the pose (hip opening, strength, arm balance prep) last week because they’re still useful and fun to explore. While I respect a good ad lib, I really love a well structured class. Some threads we pulled:
1 - activating the feet in supine figure 4 & supine pigeon, as well as vrkshasana. using tension between foot/leg to mobilize from the hip and not the knee.
2 - resistance in postures like pigeon prep. I’ve been obsessed with this one lately. specifically the push and pull of the hips to create lift while pressing the front shin into the mat. This is really key for the arm balance. others: Virab III, the slow transitions through twisted half moon (parivrtta ardha chandrasana), etc.
3 - hinging. standing figure 4 obvs, but ardha skandasanas are also a useful way to demonstrate the lift/hinge while isometrically pulling the extended heel in order to activate the inner line of the leg, which is great when the theme finding strength amidst the stretch and vice versa. also, cueing a half skandy at the start ensures no one is just blasting into it which is a pet p*eve.
Also - hey! New practice space. I like the light.
