Q&A Bonus Videos – Week 1

I pulled out some questions that came in this week and answered them with video responses. Feel free to review these if the topics interest you!

---

Question 1: Hands Get Tired in Down Dog – What to Do?

Here was the question: “For the down dog regression of putting blocks underneath the hands- I really like this one and I have used it on myself and told students to do that too. However, I noticed that my wrists/hands would sometimes feel more tired after doing this modification. Do you think this is normal and why might that happen? Are there any methods to reduce the load on the wrists in down dog? I have told students to spread their fingers out wide and press into their knuckles, but a student tells me that her hands still gets tired easily.”

Here’s my response!

---

Question 2: Is Upward Dog With the Toes Tucked Under or Knees Down OK?

This video was based on two questions:

Question 1: “I have a question about upward facing dog…could you do a regression of the pose with knees on the floor rather than lifted? I know this would mean less leg activity and core activity but as it’s a passive back bend (which I have never thought of before!!) would this be ok as it gives a good feeling of spinal mobility?? I have always seen students in class naturally do this but always guided them to not as wasn’t sure if this was ‘safe’?? Thank so much 🙏”

Question 2: “I have a question about tucking the toes in updog. I do that sometimes and I sometimes cue that people can keep their toes tucked. I feel that makes it a little easier for me, but what are your thoughts on tucking your toes in updog? Do you think it is one of those nit-picky micromanagey things or would you say that could be a regression?

Also, updog is usually taught as more of a transitory pose in a lot of the vinyasa classes I’ve attended so we don’t stay in updog for a long time. When trying to add a progression to up dog, do you think the “flow” will be broken? Or maybe that could just be a feature.”

Here’s my response!

---

Quick Links: