Although I've been doing yoga for years, I could never get my heels to the mat in downward dog. I used to blame that on my tight hamstrings, but after studying with Joetta for a couple months and being constantly reminded to "puff my kidneys" — a principle of Anusara yoga that basically means to engage my abdominals, pull my waist back, and breathe into the back of my body — I now get my heels to the mat every time.
So many things I learn in yoga are good life lessons, too. Because my hamstrings tend to be tight, and because I had struggled with downward dog in the past, I had the mindset for years that getting my heels to the mat was impossible for me. But it turns out that with a minor adjustment, something that used to seem impossible can become effortless.
My son Jack seems to have been born with the skill it took me 37 years to learn. He's been doing perfect downward dogs all of his life.
Excellent form! Reminds me of my daughter doing yoga next to her mom:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/merydith/24607599/in/set-549528/
Posted by: Willi | December 08, 2007 at 08:43 PM
I love doing Yoga with my daugher, who just turned three! Their bodies are so mobile! I love it...
Another thing I love is your blog! I'm always delighted to find other Yoga Mommies in the blogosphere... See you at WoYoPracMo!
Posted by: Everyday Yogini | December 12, 2007 at 06:19 AM