Don’t overlook lizard pose in yoga for hip-opening, improving flexibility, and feeling grounded.
Discover how to master this asana.
It is also sometimes referred to as lowlunge variation.
Inyin yoga, the pose is called dragon flying low.
And while this yoga asana is taught in lower level classes, it is not easy!
Lizard pose does more than boost mobility and improve flexibility, though.
yoga teacher atYoga Shantiin Sag Harbor, New York
It comes chock-full of deeper yogic lessons, because reptiles happen to be master yoga practitioners.
But lizard pose has its own unique benefits that shouldnt be overlooked.
Think of the chameleon who changes color to match its environment.
Chronic stress can lead to a tightening of this muscle group.
The world has been a bit chaotic recently, and many of us are experiencing chronic hip flexor tension.
This pose is also a great warmup for arm balancing poses, which require hip opening and mobility.
This level of presencestrengthens our mind-body connection.
Bartlett agrees: This pose requires a tremendous amount of kinesthetic awareness.
This supports every action that we make.
yoga teacher atYoga Shantiin Sag Harbor, New York
Prioritizing space and length can be critical to doing the pose comfortably and safely.
Alwayschoose your spineover any advanced variation.
Similarly with twisting variations, we tend to turn our head before our trunk.
venture to keep the back of your neck long by looking straight ahead or even down toward your cheeks.
But some versions add an intensity and fierceness that is Komodo dragonworthy.
you’re able to also place blocks under your hands to bring the floor up.
Externally rotated front leg
Hugging your front inner groin toward your shoulder requires significant hip flexibility.
This is also a great version of lizard pose for beginners.
Pyo agrees, but heads-up that there may be an impact of the back hip joint.
When to skip lizard pose in yoga
Lizard pose isnt accessible for everyone.
Some of us may need to discover a whole new animal of hip openers altogether.
I just verify to practice with deep awareness and have adapted it to where I am now.
[sacroiliac] joints, warns Bartlett, who suffered an S.I.
injury after a faulty adjustment in a lizard 16 years ago.
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