Friday asana aid: Tittibhasana
August 10, 2012
We’re continuing with the Second Series theme, although this week for my fellow First Seriesers, a little something we can relate to: Titibhasana.
You know it from the brief moment when you pass through it after Bhuja Pidasana and Kurmasana.
On with the show. First up, what we’re talking about:
Next, Christine Navarro (lots of research work):
Finally, Kino MacGregor on the core strength you’ll need (as I said, you pretty much can always find a Kino video):
I was surprised I found so few video instructions on this pose. I was expecting a treasure trove of advice.
Posted by Steve
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oh my. the second one is…terrible! the fingers are not spread, the shoulders are collapsing, and she’s emphasizing turning out with the feet, which, as you have recently discovered through your rolfing, is one of the most common imbalances in us.
Yes, we want external rotation to get into the posture, but what these videos don’t tell us, is that once you’re in the pose, you need to internally rotate the femurs and push out through the inner feet to straighten the legs safely. You also round the back to get into the forward fold, but the work is to try to restore as much of the lumbar curve against the weight of the legs which leads us to an awareness of bandhas.
I should clarify that I’m talking about the third video down, the second instructional video that is
Steve here. I think this will be the last of these; one thing I’ve vowed around this blog is I’m never going to give advice on asana (or hopefully much else) because I don’t know enough. (It’s also why I’d never post a video of myself.) The videos by others was a way around that — I thought. And I thought the side-by-sides (which I haven’t seen elsewhere) would provide perspective, a variety of types or approaches. But I don’t feel qualified enough to judge which videos are good or bad, even on the “simplest” poses. And just posting the same Ashtangis each week doesn’t fit the spirit of what I had in mind.
So it’s back to talking about Rolfing and wheat, I’m afraid. At least, that’s the present thinking.
I’m sorry to hear this. I enjoyed the reminders and the side by sides even if they are from the same set of teachers. And I really appreciated the chance for discussion and sharing of experience that they provided, but I understand how it can be a daunting task to weed through the misinformation.
It comes down to a discussion Bobbie and I had — are we giving our approval to any videos we post? Bobbie said we were; I thought more that I (I think I’ve done these all) was providing a menu of choices for people to look at, and not saying they all are right or good. But I caved to the idea that we shouldn’t be passing on what we think is bad instruction. I’m trying to convince Bobbie to take up the mantle; she teaches, she’s done more training than I have (and is about to do more) and is, of course, all around better than I am!
So stay tuned. Perhaps I’ll come back in for the asana aid on savasana. Or Chat-arunga. You know, the ones I’m good at. (Note: I’m not good at savasana.)
S