317 classes in 307 days.
Standing Head to Knee:
Without question one of my favorite postures and one that I look forward to every class. Even if the class has started rough or whatever, I always look forward to this posture.
Let's be real - this posture is hard. However, it's super beneficial and very satisfying as you make progress. When I started the yoga, I couldn't come close to doing this posture. I was able to bend down and grab my foot, but that was it. Just standing on one leg holding my foot for 30 or 60 seconds was quite difficult!
Over time, I was slowly able to go further in the posture, but it literally took months before I could kick out straight with both legs. More recently, I've been slowly getting better at getting the elbows down and the head down. I can consistently get my head down on the left leg, but not the right leg yet.
I've had more discussions and corrections on this posture than any other. Some of the important points covered are distributing the weight equally on the standing leg (and foot), kicking the heel forward (on the kicked out leg), various points on the grip, etc.
My favorite benefit from this posture is the determination and persistence I've gained more than any physical benefit. It takes A LOT of concentration to do this one and it carries over into the rest of the postures and life!
Greg
By George, I think he's got it! This posture is mind over matter...and although there are indeed physical aspects to it, most people give up because it's "too hard". So I think you hit the nail on the head with your take on the benefit.
ReplyDeleteYour standing head to knee is really strong, sturdy and just killer!
ReplyDeleteTrain for competition Greg!
I stopped kicking out on an iffy locked standing leg. Not kicking out again until both standing legs are hard as concrete for 60 seconds. I don't care if it takes 1 month or 1 year.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you on your patience. One of my instructors told me that it took her 8 years to master all the steps on Standing Head to Knee.