I’ve been doing yoga for about 1,5 years and have been trying to progress into full flying pigeon for the last 2 months. I am really close, I can reach back with my back leg (though I’m not fully able to ‘lift up’ yet) I have gone through Tracey’s peak pose challenge (which I’ve loved) and have done Rachel’s Power Flight class many times. They both helped tremendously.
My question is about the alignment of the forward shin. When I rest my shin on my arms should my ankle be in contact with my arm? Currently, when I do the pose my ankle doesn’t really touch my tricep but rather I grip it by wrapping my toes very hard around it. I am afraid about whether or not this would be hazardous for my joints. Thanks in advance :))
Your dedication and hard work is paying off! This is a challenging pose for people who have been working at it for years, the progress you have made in 2 months is remarkable. When practicing this pose myself I try to get my shin bone as high as possible on the upper arms, close to the armpit. The front of the ankle pushes into the back of the arm, the top of the foot and toes hook around the ouside of the tricep. A big source of power comes from the glutes of the bent leg, push the shin bone into your arm from the glutes and it helps to give the lift you are looking for.
Hi Fiji
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement, they made my day :)) I’ve been practising the pose once or twice a week, the steadiness helped my progression a lot. You’ve more than answered my question. I will definitely pay extra attention to these points next time I try the pose.