Folding forward

I started my Yoga practice around 6 months ago as a way to cultivate mindfulness in things I do.

Long periods of computer use has caused my lower back to have a really limited range of motion, as well as an inflexible hip and hamstring. I cannot do a forward fold while sitting on sit bones on the floor, because my hips simply won’t bend, and I have to hold myself upright using my core muscles, tensing my body everywhere.

After seeking counsel from the Yoga instructor after attending an in person Flow class one day, I asked him how I should stretch. And he gave me the following tips:

• Bend your knees as much as necessary.
• Keep your chest close to your thighs.
• Focus on folding from the hips rather than rounding the lower back.
• Let the hamstrings gradually lengthen over time.
• Do not force the legs straight.
• Use a folded blanket or block under your sit bones if that helps you tilt the pelvis forward.

The instructor who told me this repeatedly said:”You will be able to forward fold one day, you will eventually get there, don’t force anything.” Then he said:”You feel like a person who is very long-term thinking to me.”

I didn’t think about telling him at the moment, but that interaction made my day.

Coming out of my shell to speak to people’s heart, not just people’s minds, takes practice. Just like forward folding.