Hi Nathan, I appreciated the creative approach to using props where it's hard to get to that full pose, especially in the seated half bound lotus pose. You mentioned that your knee doesn't stand a chance getting fully to the floor and it's liberating to know that it's ok. Wherever I went for my yoga training before it was always somehow suggested that if you practice long enough it will finally be available to you, but I feel my knee breaking every time I attempt these full poses (this, firelog and pigeon and I have been practicing with dedication. Is there a chance to progress or is it strictly dictated by anatomy? Thanks for your comments and a great class!
Hi Aga! I’m so happy you bring up this point. These poses can be very tough on knees. To answer your question, I suggest thinking in terms of structure and function. The structure of your hip joint is going to ultimately dictate how deeply you can go. That is something you will have to feel and observe in other poses to determine. Function is the learning of how a joint moves and where we may be unknowingly preventing full movement or if our lifestyle has stiffened the joint such that it needs time to unwind through judicious practice.
But let me leave you with this: be patient and kind to your body. Achieving pigeon pose will not be the thing that brings transformation within you. Rather, it is the careful observation, adjustment and synthesis of what you learn that makes the magic of yoga.
I like the point you bring up where you say that there is a subtle balance between what your body can afford you (unknown at this point) and what you can work on (function). Let's see where this approach can get me physically and I agree with you that the transformational work is not only in the asana practice or not in all the asana toughness
Looking forward to see your other classes. So helpful!