Yoga JournalUSA-January-February_2017

38

february 2017

yogajournal.com

YOGAPEDIA

practice well

Virasana

modifi cations

Krounchasana

prep, pages 4o–41

Krounchasana,

pages 42–43

Virasana,

page 37

Modify Virasana if needed

to fi nd safe alignment in your body.

BE PRESENT

Most of us know the word karma. But perhaps

fewer of us are familiar with the term krama,

which means “order” or “sequence.” For instance,

this Yogapedia column presents a krama, or a

sequence of asanas, with each asana preparing us

for the next one in the series. Keeping this in mind

can intensify a practice and help us move as

deeply as possible into each pose; it maximizes

the benefits of each posture and transforms the

asana from mere physical exercise into a vehicle

for developing a more focused mind and a refined

level of awareness. In other words, this

approach turns your asana practice into

a meditation in action.

If the stretch in your

ankles is too intense ...

TRY placing a rolled-up hand towel

ankles to lift them slightly. Play with

the height of the roll to find the perfect

amount of stretch for you.

If you experience pain

in your knees ...

TRY supporting your buttocks

with a block or blanket. Find

the height of support that allows

in your thighs and knees without

any pain or sharp sensation.

Gradually reduce the support

in your knees.

so that your feet and buttocks

your buttocks with a block. This

knee-pain modification above.