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
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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