Cobbler, Baddha Konasana, Bound Angle posture
Many postures in Yoga require flexibility in the hips and the inner thighs to accomplish them. However, this is an area of the body, which many people find is tight and difficult to relax.
This posture is shown in its final form and you can practice it gently to begin the process of mobilising your hips. Try sitting against a wall at first, as the support for your back will mean you are more able to relax the muscles of the inner thighs.
Another approach is to place cushions under your knees so that the muscles can relax whilst feeling supported.
Benefits
- Opens the hips
- Improves concentration/focus
- Prepares for other posture work
- Improves mobility in the hips and pelvis
- Improves flexibility in the inner thighs
How to do it
- Ensure that your back is upright
- Sit with your legs straight out in front of you
- You can raise your pelvis on a blanket if your hips or groin area are tight
- Breathe out, bend your knees and pull your heels toward your pelvis
- Drop your knees out to the sides
- Press the soles of your feet together, maintaining your hold on your ankles
Things to watch
- Keep your back as upright as you can
- Keep your shoulders relaxed
- Move gently and smoothly
- Focus on your breathing, extending the breath out as you remain in the posture
- Think about pressing the outside edges of your feet together as this encourages the sense of opening out the hips and extending the thighs
- Ease of the posture gently when you have finished
- Repeat 2 or 3 times
Link for more info: http://www.bwy.org.uk/yoga-postures/ – it’s the 3rd posture on the list
Izzy Ixer
British Wheel of Yoga Dip
Yoga Tutor and Coach
You can find out more about Izzy here and about yoga at the Centre here
Twitter @IzzyIxer