This week’s class video:

8-Angle / Astavakrasana

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Are you too BUSY? Don’t have time for a full class? Here’s this week’s 10-Minute Warm-Up to get you moving, so you can still get on with the demands of your day:

(Just click on the videos above; they’re ready to play.)

It's a Stretchy Struggle-Bus...

...but it makes for an interesting ride.

Why practice if all the poses are boring and interesting? I suppose it's casual, safe, comfortable, etc. Then again, you could get all of that by sitting on the couch. No need for a yoga mat.

8-Angle is a step toward contortionist extremes, for most people. It's not so crazy or impossible, but it's a much more demanding position than most people's bodies are ever put into in daily life.

It requires A LOT of work to free up your hips, if you're going to get close to balancing the shape. That freedom isn't just "looseness," though. We're working away from stiffness (or floppiness for the more naturally flexible) and building STRENGTH.

So, there's a lot to work on here: glutes, external rotation of the hips, hamstrings, inner thighs (or adductors) to stabilize your legs. and since we're trying to take this up on the hands you've got shoulders, bent arm strength, and compression to summon up as well.

You might find yourself in ridiculous positions at some point in this flow, but you will NOT be bored...