Indiana & Yoga Magazine Summer 2016 Issue 1 | Page 58

PHYSICAL YOGA Parivrtta Supta Padangusthasana okay. Just place a blanket underneath and along your chest to open gradually. Too often we cheat ourselves in our twists in order to force both our legs and shoulders to the ground when we actually might have an area that needs releasing. Of course, bending one knee or both to a 90 degree angle or closer into the chest and crossing over the body into a twist can work as well as parivrtta supta padangusthasana [soup-TAH pod-ang-goosh-TAHS-anna, “reclining hand to big toe”]. And if I’m in a class where a teacher guides us through a garudasana leg twist, I have experimented with crossing my thighs, but 56 bringing my knees closer to my chest before twisting, and not moving my hips to the side. Or I just do a variation I know is good for my body. I do not claim to be an anatomy expert, but my education about the body has dramatically opened my eyes and changed the way I teach. Yoga teachers, if you want to keep yourself and your students healthy, take as many anatomy courses and more in-depth therapeutic courses as you can. And remember, there are no absolutes. ■ INDIANA & YOGA MAGAZINE ISSUE I