DETAIL + DEPTH | Triceps Strengthener aka Learning to Exit . Learning to exit is a sign of maturity. Whether it is a relationship, a job, or a pose, leaving with intention allows the nervous system to stay relaxed and unstressed. It creates a memory of the experience as manageable, meaningful, and worthwhile, rather than uncomfortable, regretful, or even traumatic. This is the power of exiting with intention. . When applying this to yoga poses, teachers (myself included) tend to focus on the demands of the body in the actual pose. Rarely do we consider how much work and preparation is required to both enter and exit a pose with a sense of ease. In fact, we pay a high price for this, as most injuries occur in the transition of entering or exiting poses. . Take the clasp of the hands in Gomukhasana. The use of @theraband teaches the body to strengthen the triceps upon entrance AND exit. . As with most binds, students often struggle to get the hands to meet. Instead of focusing on achieving a final form, work on both strengthening and stretching the triceps in these resistance band exercises. Move slowly to eliminate the springy, rubberband action of the band. Do 5-10 reps, then switch to the top arm. Stay and breathe. . Then, drop the band and see if the hands can come together for the bind. Reach the top elbow up and bottom elbow down. Pull the hands apart. . To safely exit without a springing or flinging action that compromises the already sensitive position of the internally rotated shoulder joint of the lower arm, my brilliant teacher @alisonwestyoga instructs: 1. Make a fist with the lower hand. 2. Press the back of the hand into the body as you slide the hand toward the pelvis to release the pose. . For an added bonus, which I picked up in @haesooshi’s prenatal class (for you NYCers!), she added the final portion of flexing the wrist before opening the hands in Urdhva Hastasana! Such a joyful exit! 🤗 Stay and breathe, then switch sides. . © 2018 Ellen Huang Saltarelli . . . . #detailanddepth #alignmentyoga#yogaalignment #Yoga #practiceandalliscoming #iyengar #sequencing #iyengaryoga #gomukhasana #cowfacepose #theraband #resistancebands #yogavideo (at Los Angeles, California)
