Flying Splits Pose
Flying Splits Pose
I don’t remember when I first attempted this pose, but the feeling of LIFT OFF IS LEGEND!!!
If you’ve always wanted to try an advanced arm balance, Flying Splits [Eka Pada Koundinyasana II] might be just your thing.
Demo here:
On the material plane, this pose is about developing strong wrists and shoulder girdle that can bear the weight shift of your body forward, as well as the open hips and hamstrings required to fly. Proprioception required is leg-to-arm connection and weight shift forward.
It requires strong wrists (Crow/Bakasana without pain, as well as very open hips (Reclined Hand to Big Toe Pose) and hamstrings (Standing Splits).
On the immaterial plane, this pose is about liftoff, GRACE and trust.
Let’s take a deeper look.
The below sequence is perfect for building the proprioception required, as well as warming up before practicing the pose.
FLYING SPLITS POSE PRACTICE AND/OR WARM-UP
Reclined
Half Happy Baby Pose, Reclined Hand to Big Toe Pose
Rock and Roll up to Table, then Down Dog.
Three Legged Dog, followed by 3-5 Tiger Curls.
[I like to lift very high on my back toes, and practice the weight shift forward as my knee touches my arm.]
Add in 3-5 mini or full Chaturangas.
Follow with Lizard on both sides, and Standing Splits.
You should be warmed up now for Flying Splits.
FLYING SPLITS POSE ALIGNMENT
From Down Dog, glide forward into a Plank and bring your right knee high, connecting with your right tricep.
Engage your shoulder girdle, lower into Chaturanga arms, and feel the weight shift into your upper body.
Your left foot will start to feel lighter.
Extend your right leg by reaching through the forefoot, and spread the toes.
Lift the back of the heart and FLOAT OFF THE BACK FOOT!
YOU HAVE ACHIEVED LIFT OFF!!!
*If you dipped forward and almost face-planted, keep lifting the back of the heart and the pelvic floor to steady yourself.
Namaste,
Catherine
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Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
