By Karen Watson Reeves
“Let go of the ego.” “Focus on what you feel rather than how you look.” “Try not to compare yourself to others or how you have seen the pose pictured in the yogis of InstaGram.” I say these and similar statements to students all the time. Yet, when I see myself in a pose looking “less than perfect,” I get critical and hesitant to share the photo. So – time for me to practice what I preach.
In any pose that calls for a straight extended leg, I know it is just not going to happen. Osteoarthritis in my knees is what brought me to yoga thirteen years ago. I believe yoga is what has kept me overall healthy in these intervening years, as I had to give up any impact forms of exercise. Instead of criticizing my bent extended leg, I am going to focus on what I can do in this pose and be grateful for the benefits.
Tight hamstrings and hips are common to many in our “closed hip” society, as we spend much of our days sitting and standing. As hips and hamstrings are stretched, greater flexibility and less injury to these body areas is the result. Extended Hand to Big Toe pose helps to achieve that stretching and focuses specifically on the adductors, which are responsible for the rotation and flexion of the femur at the hip joint.
This standing balance pose builds strength in the back, arms, legs and feet. An inactive lifestyle adversely affects the back and spinal system. As the back is strengthened, it is better protected from the negative effects of sedentary living.
The arms are engaged and extended, thus increasing strength and endurance as the pose is held. Strength in the legs and feet is important, enabling us to stand for longer periods more comfortably, to walk using good posture and to balance for longer periods, reducing “fall risk.”
From the expression on my face, it can be deduced that concentration is a necessary element to stay in this pose. Building focus and concentration is a benefit of the standing balance poses. As focus is improved, memory, learning, decision making and problem solving are enhanced. It takes concentration to balance on one leg, to stick with a project to completion, to be a good listener, to sit at the computer and finish writing an article for deadline.
The moral of the photo for me then is to stop criticizing myself and instead remember how strong, and stretchy, and focused and brave I felt as I took my hand off the tree trunk. Another thing I frequently say in a class is: “If you are feeling it, you are doing it.” Friends, I was doing it!!
Karen Watson Reeves was born and raised in Mount Holly and has called Hot Springs home since 2006. She became a registered yoga teacher in 2011 and has travelled Arkansas teaching her passion. She owns The Yoga Place, is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff, is an adjunct instructor at National Park College, as well as teaching in several other fabulous venues. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle.
