Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga: Hamstrings

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Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga:
Hamstrings

wohayo
New User

Mar 14, 2005, 3:40 AM

Post #1 of 4 (1667 views)
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Hamstrings	Can't Post

Hello,

I am fairly new to Iyengar yoga and have discovered my hamstrings are incredibly tight. Probably due to years of running and gym work. Please can anyone advise me of a good sequence of postures to help me work through the tightness and begin to losen them.

Also do you think it is advisable to stop the running and concentrate fully on yoga from now on?

Thanks.

pascal
Enthusiast

Mar 14, 2005, 4:33 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1660 views)
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Re: Hamstrings [In reply to]	Can't Post

hi!

one the best basic posture for this is ado mukha svanasana (dog pose) ; a usual serie is uttanasana -ado mukha -uttanasana -ado mukha ; but it must be done properly, which means under supervision of a teacher at the beguining for this asana is less easy than it looks Wink

there is nothing against classic jogging, except if you practice also sprint or marathon Crazy

; i use to swim myself (including butterfly) , but without powerful sprints and it does not raise any problem with my yoga training. one important thing : if you practice yoga and jogging the same day : avoid practicing yoga after jogging ;the best would be yoga in the morning and jogging at lunch time or evening. if you do have to jog in the morning, then yoga should not be done before 4h delay from it Unimpressed

have a nice day Smile

(This post was edited by pascal on Mar 14, 2005, 4:38 AM)

wohayo
New User

Mar 14, 2005, 5:34 AM

Post #3 of 4 (1655 views)
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Re: Hamstrings [In reply to]	Can't Post

Great, Thanks for your help Smile

DamienL
Enthusiast

Mar 14, 2005, 2:22 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1643 views)
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Re: Hamstrings [In reply to]	Can't Post

I too am very tight in the hamstrings, in combination with the lower back. If you are very new to iyengar yoga I would recommend standing poses, trikonasana, parsvakonasana, virabhadrasana I & II, parsvottanasana, , prasarita padottanasana, Uttanasana, using a block. These are the base postures for any beginner. Perhaps also Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana I& II, plenty of simple cross leg forward bend (making sure not to arch the back) . In Adho Mukha placing a block under the heals. It takes much time a for the leg muscles to lengthen so gentle persistence and patience are required. If you do any forward bends such as pascimottanasana, janu sirsasana sit on a blanket or a few for height and use a belt to catch the feet(don't allow the back to arch). Best of all seek the guidance of a competent teacher.
namaste

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