Yoga Meets Movement Science

Yoga Alignment Rules That Don’t Make Sense

Jan 10, 2023

01:34:57

Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen discuss a selection of yoga alignment cues that don't make sense! These cues all have one thing in common: they are each used inconsistently across similar (or the same) positions. By examining these carefully-chosen examples, we gain insight into whether or not these cues are actually important. And we improve our ability to think critically about the information we’re taught!

Yoga alignment rules covered in this episode include:

Stack the shoulder over the wrist in plank pose
Stack the shoulder over the wrist in side plank pose
Don’t let the feet turn out in wheel pose
Don’t jump back to straight-arm plank pose; instead, jump into bent-elbow chaturanga
Don’t transition from closed-to-open hip poses or vice versa
Don’t place your foot on your inner knee in tree pose
Ground your inner hands down in down dog
Internally rotate your hips in forward folds
Catch the outer ankle in bow pose

Enjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Jenni’s email newsletter

Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis

Online yoga class library & yoga anatomy workshops with Jenni

Strength for Yoga email newsletter

Sara Paige, who inspired the idea for this episode! website / Instagram

YouTube video: Should We Shift Forward Onto Our Toes in Chaturanga?

YouTube video: Is Turning Your Feet Out in Wheel Bad?

YouTube video: Is Jumping Back to Plank Bad for Our Shoulders?

Blog post: No Foot on the Knee in Tree Pose? Questioning the Cue

YouTube video: Should We Avoid Closed to Open Hip Transitions in Yoga?