Eka hasta urdvha dhanurasana...?

[flexagon]

I got a picture of the random yoga pose I was all happy about last Wednesday. Yay! It looks as cool as it feels! I present... the ankle-grabbing backbend.

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For the record, grabbing the ankle is relatively easy for me. Lifting one hand off the ground in the first place was much more difficult; it's scarier than lifting one leg. Last week was just "oh yeah -- the ankle is within reach from there too, how spicy!"

ETA: check out that vein in my arm, yo. I am a vampire's dream victim.

Comments

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

that.is.awesome.

go you! I'm going to try that.

[flexagon]

Thanks, and have fun! If you happen to be unable to get the ankle, no worries -- there are plenty of other poses to be struck.

(and a little part of me wonders if it's possible to lift one arm and the opposite leg...)

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

That's a great shot! I think the reason lifting an arm feels more unstable than lifting a leg is because legs are stronger, therefore better able to counteract the torsion created by lifting one. It's definitely possible to lift opposing sides, but it requires a lot of core strength (which I'm sure you have) to keep from twisting around.

[flexagon]

Yep, I confirmed today (with a spotter) that it is possible, and it's possible to grab the free ankle with the free hand. It's pretty much the opposite of a safe pose though. I was glad to have a spot.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

I wasn't thinking grabbing the free foot, that would definitely be crazy hard...Lifting each out straight was what I was picturing, is that doable?

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

I can do one leg lifts in a wheel, so I'm gonna try for that pose. I'm sure it can be done (that is, one leg and one arm up.)

[flexagon]

If you do, get someone to take a picture. Me, I want to reach under myself with the free hand, and grab my free foot.

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

I'll try to get a pic!

[figmint.livejournal.com]

Wowza.

Ever since your post last week about that cuh-razy position where you're standing on your hands with one knee on an arm and one leg in the air, I keep thinking about it. I can't see how that's even possible to get into, much less HOLD!! Wild!

[flexagon]

Oh -- I actually got a picture of myself in that one too, just decided to leave it out of the original post because my form's not at its best here.



I imagine this won't be very satisfying, but I pretty much crouch down, put my hands on the floor, get a good position of my leg on my arm, and lean forward onto my hands. In theory there are at least two other ways to get into it, but I never practice them. Anyway, glad to be entertaining. :)

[figmint.livejournal.com]

That just astonishes me! You must have VERY strong arms! So very cool, thanks for sharing! :-D

[perfectbound.livejournal.com]

best use of the <strong> tag ever.

[flexagon]

Thanks. :) LJ gave me the idea, by originally putting the caption inside strong tags...