Comments on: how to do yoga: modifying boat pose

By: workouts-abs

workouts-abs — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:47:12 +0000

I trained in kung fu for many years and there was a particular position that I could never do because it just caused so much pain in my lower back. However that did’nt stop me from staying strong present and powerful.
Just do something that you are comfortable with that is equally as good of a workout, stretch or whatever it is that you want to achieve.

By: workouts-abs

workouts-abs — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:24:04 +0000

You can also get a yoga mat for a decent price. The mat seems to do the trick for me. I also had an issue with my tailbone … until I got a mat, and that took care of the problem. Now I can do my abs workouts comfortably.

By: Bigmagnum

Bigmagnum — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 18:32:14 +0000

I broke my coxis (tail) bone more than once as a child which resulted in a pretty significan bony protrusion which is very painful in most sitting positions. I find that placing a folded blanket (such as Halfmoon’s India cotton blanket) under me during Navasana to be really helpful. I am able to lean back enough to really engage my abdominals and extend into the full pose.

Bianca, when out abs are weak or tired we end up asking other muscles to help us get our legs up. The strain you are feeling is likely in the iliopsoas, muscles that wrap from the thorasic part of the spine, across the front of the hip joint, connecting at the top of the femur. To take some of the work out of these muscles, really focus on scooping the belly and engaging your Uddiyana bandha. See if you can relax the front of your hips a little bit. This is the same action we want to cultivate in Dandasana, using the abdominals and not the hip flexors to keep the upper body lifted. You may need to practice navasana with bent knees until your abdominals strengthen and you get used to working the different combination of muscles.

By: Bianca King

Bianca King — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:14:14 +0000

I can never seem to straighten out my legs completely in this pose because it strains my hips. Any suggestions? Thanks!

By: Danila Koncar

Danila Koncar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:04:15 +0000

I also have a tailbone issue. I’m very lean and bony and my tailbone is protruding so I kind of wobble when doing the boat, half boat, and such. I have found a solution in putting a small folded towel under my butt; it gives me enough cushioning and stability to perform.

By: Ami

Ami — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:31:37 +0000

Great photo January! and great advice! It’s always great to keep going in class, even if it means doing a completely different movement/pose. Love it.