This reclined sequence strengthens your core and also prepares your hips for the position you take in Reclined Cobbler’s pose. As you roll up and down, you can allow your lower back to lightly touch the floor.
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I have a concern about interlacing the fingers and placing them behind the head. And that is that some students with a weaker core may pull the head up with the hands, rather than using the strength of the upper back to rise. I am concerned about causing cervical strain from this pulling. Suggestions?
Although this is possible, I have not encountered this potential side effect. However, when pulling up strongly on the head and neck, it often lessens the work of the core. One way that would address both your concern and my observation is to have the student press the head back into the hands as the hands press into the back of the head, to keep the front neck muscles relaxed. The head still gets support from the hands pressing up into the head without taking the neck into flexion.
Thanks Baxter!