We Have a Rope Wall Now

Rope-supported Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

This is the third week that we've had our ropes up at Harmony Yoga, and for the most part, people are enjoying their use.

As you can see in the photo to the left, a rope-supported downward facing dog pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) allows these students to more easily extend through their upper backs.

Suza Francina (not from Harmony Yoga!)

The photo of the woman (Suza Francina, an Iyengar Yoga teacher from California, who has written many good books and articles on yoga and aging) shows another great use for the ropes.  Hanging forward as she is doing is an excellent way to open the chest and create more mobility in the shoulders.

We don't start in such an extreme position until our shoulders are ready for it.  Most people have been starting much further away from the wall, to begin with, for a less intense stretch.

We've also used the ropes for extra stability while doing Utthita trikonasana (Triangle Pose) and Parivrrta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose).   We've discovered that besides given extra stability in both poses, the body comes into better alignment much more easily.