Old Moon Yoga

Keeping an eye on the bookends

They were both new to my class, they came together, both relatively new to Yoga. I think mine was their first venture beyond beginner classes. No problem, I will keep my eye on them and give extra assistance and options. For some reason they take up positions at either end of the studio. They could not have been further apart, unless I opened the back door and let one practice in the car park. Like two bookends they are positioned as far from me as possible. So doing my best Marty Feldman impersonation we begin class.

I love to have new people in class, of course, and try to make the class as “all levels” as possible but a little “remote teaching” was needed here. This should be a doddle (sorry, I think it’s an English expression) as earlier this week I was able to share some yoga moves with someone as far away as the east coast.

Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock Pose) or more specifically Vrschikasana (Scorpion Pose). Vrschikasana a pose almost as hard to do as it is to pronounce, is very similar to pincha – you just let your legs drop over until your feet are on your head. Yeh right! After extensive research (a Google search), I have determined that this pose is only possible if you are young (I fail), slim (I fail), and female (mmm don’t even know how to qualify). If you don’t possess these three key attributes, join us mortals for which scorpion is pincha with back arched, the knees bent, and the feet waving around like divining rods in search of underground water.

The secret to success with both of these poses, like all balances, is getting a stable base. Once you have that stable base you can begin to learn the secrets of the balance and acquire the muscle memory necessary to stay in the balance. As we are on our arms in this pose, the arm position is critically important. The traditional position for the arms is in line with the shoulders and parallel to each other. The correct position, though, is the one let’s you balance upside down, after all you probably won’t have your feet on your head either.

When I was learning, we were shown a couple of positions designed to get those arms in the traditional parallel position. A block between the hands, palms up. A block between the hands with the hands flat and thumbs wrapping the block. Both of these get the shoulder parallel but do nothing to help stabilize the balance. A year or so ago a teacher showed me the following arm position. It feels a little odd at first, but it ready does help stabilize things

Old Moon Yoga’s guide to Pincha Mayurasana and Vrschikasana

• Start with the arms out in front parallel like usual.
  

  Arms parallel

• Then turn the hands over so they are facing up, still parallel.
  

  Turn palms up first

• Now turn the hands over so that the thumb and forefinger meet. The wrists can be a little bit raised. It feels a little weird, you can even take your elbows a little wider too (not too much though)
  

  Turn hand over, thumb and fore finger touch

• This should give you a much more stable base when you kick up. It is very similar to clasping the hands together but allows you to spread the hands for control over the stability.

My remote Yogi said this helped her. Mind you, I also learned she was able to walk her feet down the wall to her head for scorpion. Clearly she possesses those 3 attributes blocking me from a perfect scorpion

Coincidentally I came across this video from a Yoga teacher and friend of mine, Cora Wen. She demonstrates how to use the wall and a chair to improve your scorpion. http://www.youtube.com/user/CoraYoga#p/a/u/1/YnLMkPelHP4

YouTube, another form of remote teaching for yoga. Makes my two bookends challenge seem like a walk in the park.