hmmm... kay, thanks, your impressions are always very useful to me. I remain very aware of the forward component of the hip motion though. As for shoulders, in yoga we jump up from a short downward dog, so I am used to having to move them too. it's probably worth experimenting with getting my shoulders right over wrists to begin with, thanks, I will try it that way very soon. :)

as for straddle-ups being easier, I hadn't thought of the feet staying in the same plane, but still, they are not easier for me. as a side note, sometimes our more impressive yoga teacher pikes up, which is probbly the worst of both worlds in terms of difficulty but looks pretty cool.