Benefits:
- Opens and strengthens the ankles;
- Strong stimulation of four meridians flowing through the feet and ankles;
- Great counter pose for squatting or toe exercises.
Contra-indications:
- Any sharp pain in ankles, back off. Students can try a blanket or towel under the feet, to cushion them;
- Knee issues may prevent the student from sitting on heels: placing a rolled up towel, or other cushions,
between the thighs and calves may reduce this.
Alternatives & Options:
- Leaning back on the hands is the first position, and is the least stressful, but beware of
collapsing backward … keep the heart forward;
- After a few moments, the student can try to bring the hands to the floor beside the legs;
- Try not to lean away from the knees … keep the heart open, arching the back forward;
- Finally, the very open student can hold the knees and gently pull the knees toward the chest.
Meridians & Organs Affected:
- Stomach, Spleen, Liver, Gall Bladder lines are strongly stimulated.
Joints Affected:
Hold for how long?
- About one minute. This is relatively yang and shouldn't be held for a long time.
Counter poses?
- Pushup/Plank/Chaturanga, Crocodile or any posture that straightens the legs and tucks the toes under;
- Dangling or Squatting is also nice.
Other Notes:
- This is a nice counterpose for many poses that stress the feet, such as sitting on heels with toes
tucked under, Squats, and sitting meditations.
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