"Inversions" workshop II

[flexagon]

I just got back from a long-awaited inversions workshop with Ana Forrest, who's a big name in the western yoga world.

This is the kind of thing Ana's famous for:



So one wonders where, in this workshop, the inversions went. In two and a half hours we did two forearm stand poses, one handstand and no headstands. We did do some evil, boot-campy ab work, some pranayama I wasn't familiar with, and some sequences leading up to koundinyasana, one-legged crow and an (admittedly very cool) shoulderstand variation called twisted cypress. Perhaps I should be more forgiving -- one-legged crow is almost an inversion if you get the free leg up really high -- but I just don't feel forgiving. For this I risked my hamstring, even though I quit my regular yoga studio for a month to avoid reinjuring it? Bah. I feel like I've barely been upside-down today.

Comments

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

The thing I most remember is the incessant spreading of the toes. She's big into spreading the toes, that Ana.

Too funny, I watched a video of her doing her thing, and it IS amazing, but the whole time I was like "Woman! Watch your toes!" As a former gymnast it was KILLING me. I'm not sure if learning that she does it purpose makes me feel better. Maybe a little...

[figmint.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, it's completely on purpose! In fact, as you're doing the poses the instructor will keep reminding you to "remember to spread your toes!" It wouldn't get beauty points in gymnastics, no, but it's supposed to make you more aware of your feet, I think...?

[nevers.livejournal.com]

i think it's also supposed to be a way of extending every bit of your body out into the universe. and a way of showing off one's awesome body control ;). i feel like pointing your toes all the way really shortens the backs of your legs and the toe thing feels longer. it took me a while to come around to that, though.

[figmint.livejournal.com]

Do you do Forrest yoga? Do you like it?

[nevers.livejournal.com]

i don't, so i don't really know her particular reasons for favoring the toes-spread technique. but i've had instructors suggest it before and i play around with it. mostly when i'm getting tired of pointing my feet. i'm an acrobat, so i have to point my feet most of the time.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

I bet it feels good from a stretchy pov too.

[flexagon]

Yes, indeed it does. After a day in work shoes it feels quite good to spread 'em. Toes, that is. ;)