How
often do you just go with the flow during a yoga class and not really
question why you’re doing something? There are so many facets of a class
that sometimes you don’t think twice about an ache or pain, ask how to
properly execute a transition pose or even get educated on yoga in
general.
Here are five questions you probably never thought to ask your yoga instructor.
1. Why Do We Do the Half Lift?
Yogis practice
the half lift for two reasons. The first is to lengthen the spine. When
you lift the torso from your forward fold, you’re better able to
straighten your spine, open your chest and engage your core. The goal is
to maintain the lengthened spine and engaged core as you refold over
your legs so that you’re getting a deeper stretch for both the
hamstrings and the lower back.
The
second reason is that it helps prepare the body to either step back to
plank or hop into Chaturanga. The straight spine, open chest and engaged
core are all alignment points that we want to find in plank pose and
Chaturanga as well. When you do the half lift, you find the integrity
you need in the upper body and are ready to bear weight on the arms and
shoulders as you step or hop back.
2. Why Do My Wrists Hurt in Down Dog?
In a typical yoga
class, you’re often supporting and leveraging your body weight on your
hands. Just like your arm and shoulder muscles had to build strength for
you to be able to hold plank or practice Chaturanga correctly, you have
to build strength in the wrists.
You
may notice some discomfort as you begin yoga or when you’re learning
something new like a handstand or Crow pose. To help build wrist
strength and reduce soreness, make sure you’re spreading your fingers
wide. Press down through the pads of each finger and knuckle and the
center of your palm to evenly distribute weight into the whole hand when
you’re in plank or Down Dog.
Also,
you can always rest! Come down to your hands and knees or to Child’s
pose if you feel like your wrists need a break — especially if you’re
new to yoga or haven’t been to class in a while.
If
you feel a shooting pain in your wrists or start to notice the pain
creeping up the arm, it’s an indication that something is wrong, and you
should speak to your doctor. Don’t push through this type of pain. If
you’re feeling pain in your wrists due to an old injury, let your
teacher know and you can practice plank and Down Dog on your forearms.
Read more: How to Keep Wrists From Hurting During Yoga
3. Why Do We Practice Yoga Barefoot?
Practicing
barefoot allows you to stretch and strengthen muscles in the feet,
ankles and lower legs. When barefoot, you achieve a better understanding
of how you should stand and how your feet should contact the floor,
which affects alignment and posture all the way up the body. Healthy
feet result in better balance on and off the mat, better posture and
less pain in the feet, knees and back.
4. Should I Clean My Mat? How Do I Clean It?
It’s recommended
to clean your mat from time to time to prevent bacteria from building up
on it, which can make it smell or make you break out. (Remember: You
rest your head and face on your mat, and your feet are all over it as
well.)
How
often you clean it depends on how often you use it. If you’re practicing
daily or you practice hot yoga, clean it once a week. If you’re
practicing a little less frequently, once every two to three weeks is
probably fine.
Many
companies sell mat sprays, but you can make your own by mixing a
teaspoon of tea tree oil into a spray bottle filled with water. Shake it
up and spray liberally, then hang your mat to dry. That’s it! Tea tree
oil is naturally antibacterial, and because this mixture is
chemical-free, it won’t break down your mat.
Read more: The 5 Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats
5. What’s With the Prayer Hands?
In Western
culture, this hand position is often associated with prayer or religion.
In Eastern cultures it is known as “anjali mudra” and has a different
meaning and use. The Sanskrit word “anjali” means offering and “mudra”
means seal or sign.
This
gesture is often used at the start or end of a yoga class in
conjunction with the phrase “namaste,” which means “the light in me
honors the light in you.” This phrase sums up one of the spiritual
aspects of yoga: seeing the divine, or the light, in everything and
everyone. It’s a sign of peace that can be extended from anyone to
anyone.
This
mudra is also helpful in opening the chest, engaging the shoulders and
broadening the collarbone and upper back. This is particularly helpful
in twisting poses when you want to keep the upper body square, open and
stable so you can find the twist in your core. Full-body engagement is
crucial to balance poses like Warrior III and Tree, so the stability
this mudra creates in the shoulders offers more grounding.
What Do YOU Think?
Now that you
know the answers to some of yoga’s biggest mysteries, use them to better
your practice and increase your awareness in each pose! Did you know
any of these answers before you read this article? Did you ever wonder
about any of these questions? Had you ever asked anyone before? How will
you apply this knowledge in your future yoga classes? Share your
thoughts in the comments section below!
About the Author
Rebecca Weible is the founder of Yo Yoga!
in New York City. She's recognized by the Yoga Alliance as an
experienced teacher due to the combination of her extensive training and
hours taught. Yo Yoga! is also the first studio in New York to offer
weekly Sound Off Experience yoga classes. Rebecca has been featured on
PureWow, Men’s Journal, the New York Times, Yoga Digest, Brit+Co, Rodale
Wellness and many more.
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