Australian Yoga Journal – July 2019

BUILD A POSE

r r ti

86

july

2019

yogajournal.com.au

PHOTOS: IAN SPANIER; MAKEUP: EMILY HARDINGER; CLOTHES: MODEL’S OWN

Pincha Mayurasana

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FEATHERED PEACOCK POSE (AKA FOREARM BALANCE), VARIATION

This inversion is more difficult than Salamba Sirsasana (Headstand) or

Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand) because it requires a sublime balance

between strength and flexibility in the shoulders.

This Stag-Leg variation is actually

easier than the full pose: The leading

leg reaching forward helps you take

flight and shift weight into your

forearms. The following leg acts as a

counterweight, making the pose feel

safer if you’re fearful of going upside

down while away from a wall. Think

of the back leg as an anchor you can

drop if needed. In fact, if you keep

your straight leg parallel to the floor,

there’s very little chance of toppling

over. Remember, you’ve built up this

pose by slowly practicing the shapes

and actions it is composed of,

becoming more confident in your

ability and less fearful of turning

upside-down. And if you are still

scared, don’t forget that on the other

side of fear is elation.

Peak Pose

Inspo

MAKE SURE THIS LEG IS

PARALLEL TO THE FLOOR

And the foot

should stay flexed.

PRESS YOUR INNER

WRISTS AND

FOREARMS DOWN

This will help keep your

elbows and forearms

parallel, and

shoulder-distance apart.

KEEP YOUR

CORE FIRM

This will help

protect your

lower back

LIFT YOUR INNER

SHOULDER BLADES

TOWARD YOUR HIPS

Keep your collarbones

wide–even as you reach

your chest forward.

FIND LENGTH

AND BREADTH IN

YOUR LOWER BACK