Yoga and Height

River · 03-23-2007, 02:11 AM

Hello everyone.
I'm new to these forums. Actually registered to ask this specific nagging question I've had for a while now.

I've only ever done yoga by studying poses online or by video instruction and classes and/or personal teacher is not currently an option. I solicit your advise on a question that has been pestering me for too long.

Sometimes in practice the instructions I read (or the video instructor) will say something like your feet should be 4 feet apart from each other. The specific pose I am refering to now is Triangle Pose.

Now, I reckon that the height of the individual performing the pose would greatly influence how far apart the feet should be in these standing poses. I am 5'11" tall and I am pretty sure that my pose should be more open than the 4 foot recommended. But alas, I am not sure.

Could I get advise or opinions on Triangle pose specifically and also in general when instructors give set measurements. I can't remember the other poses this has come up in my training, but it does occasionally happen.

Can I safely widen my stance a bit more? (i do anyway, but it nags me in the back of my mind that I've never read anything that says to adjust for your size)

Thanks in advance for you help.
River

**xela** · 03-23-2007, 08:10 AM

I think it would be safe to say widening your stance to your leg's length would be good.

**Alix** · 03-23-2007, 10:27 AM

If I am not mistaken, 4ft is sort of an average distance, assuming average height. In your case I would consider widening stance a bit. Experiment a bit and see what is comfortable for you.

River · 03-23-2007, 02:59 PM

Thanks for your thoughts.

lucastp_532 · 03-23-2007, 07:02 PM

stretch ur self to the maxium and only then ull gain sucess. try to over come pain and concentate on perfecting posture.

InnerAthlete · 03-23-2007, 11:11 PM

Ah the wonderful world of Internet Forums. The bliss, the joy, the nectar.

Set measurements ("jump the feet 4' apart") are general instructions for the group in class. The teacher, assuming they were watching the students and actually seeing them too, would make the necessary adjustments in stance for taller, longer, and shorter students.

As my teacher would say, feel free to use common sense.
In this case that could mean to widen your stance in Trikon.

Obviously it would depend on more than your height.

In the final pose the spine is parallel to the floor and the hand of the lower arm should be grounded. This is done by placing the hand on the floor or a block (at one of its three heights).

The stance, therefore, would be adjusted by a teacher based on size of the student and their torso/limbs in relationship to their mobility or, dare I say it, flexibility.

cathy · 03-29-2007, 03:22 AM

Step our feet as wide as You feel comfortable. You will feel a stretch but should NOT feel pain. Success comes from practice and patience, and an enjoyment and a love for doing yoga. Each of us has a unique and blessed body, respect it. You will feel the benefits. I disagree with a previous statement, and don't believe you should feel pain or that you should concentrate on "perfecting the posture", As you gain experience the asana will change, you will begin to "tweek" the posture, and also to "push" yourself a bit. It will all happen with time and patience, "sthira sukham asanam" "the posture should be steady and comfortable" (Patanjali II-46). Good luck!

redist · 12-06-2007, 04:33 PM

Hi there. I have a question about growing with yoga.. How many inches can I gain by yoga exercises? I'm 20 years old and I'm only 168cm (5'6) and I really really want to be 171cm (5'7 1/2). This will help me so much with some things...
I think that I'm still gowing up. I grew about 1/2 inch during last 4 months.

If it's possible... can you show me the exercises at the some www?

Thanks for any replies...

03-23-2007, 10:27 AM	#3
Alix Administrator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 327	If I am not mistaken, 4ft is sort of an average distance, assuming average height. In your case I would consider widening stance a bit. Experiment a bit and see what is comfortable for you. __________________ You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. Robin Williams

03-23-2007, 11:11 PM	#6
InnerAthlete Mostly Good Egg Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Certified Purna Yoga Teacher - Seattle, WA Posts: 1,035	Ah the wonderful world of Internet Forums. The bliss, the joy, the nectar. Set measurements ("jump the feet 4' apart") are general instructions for the group in class. The teacher, assuming they were watching the students and actually seeing them too, would make the necessary adjustments in stance for taller, longer, and shorter students. As my teacher would say, feel free to use common sense. In this case that could mean to widen your stance in Trikon. Obviously it would depend on more than your height. In the final pose the spine is parallel to the floor and the hand of the lower arm should be grounded. This is done by placing the hand on the floor or a block (at one of its three heights). The stance, therefore, would be adjusted by a teacher based on size of the student and their torso/limbs in relationship to their mobility or, dare I say it, flexibility. __________________ ---- http://www.yogamojodojo.com http://www.teamyoga.com http://www.innerathlete.net/forum

03-23-2007, 02:11 AM	#1
River Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas USA Posts: 3	Hello everyone. I'm new to these forums. Actually registered to ask this specific nagging question I've had for a while now. I've only ever done yoga by studying poses online or by video instruction and classes and/or personal teacher is not currently an option. I solicit your advise on a question that has been pestering me for too long. Sometimes in practice the instructions I read (or the video instructor) will say something like your feet should be 4 feet apart from each other. The specific pose I am refering to now is Triangle Pose. Now, I reckon that the height of the individual performing the pose would greatly influence how far apart the feet should be in these standing poses. I am 5'11" tall and I am pretty sure that my pose should be more open than the 4 foot recommended. But alas, I am not sure. Could I get advise or opinions on Triangle pose specifically and also in general when instructors give set measurements. I can't remember the other poses this has come up in my training, but it does occasionally happen. Can I safely widen my stance a bit more? (i do anyway, but it nags me in the back of my mind that I've never read anything that says to adjust for your size) Thanks in advance for you help. River

03-23-2007, 08:10 AM	#2
xela Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 356	I think it would be safe to say widening your stance to your leg's length would be good.

03-23-2007, 02:59 PM	#4
River Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas USA Posts: 3	Thanks for your thoughts.

03-23-2007, 07:02 PM	#5
lucastp_532 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 36	stretch ur self to the maxium and only then ull gain sucess. try to over come pain and concentate on perfecting posture.

03-29-2007, 03:22 AM	#7
cathy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 35	Step our feet as wide as You feel comfortable. You will feel a stretch but should NOT feel pain. Success comes from practice and patience, and an enjoyment and a love for doing yoga. Each of us has a unique and blessed body, respect it. You will feel the benefits. I disagree with a previous statement, and don't believe you should feel pain or that you should concentrate on "perfecting the posture", As you gain experience the asana will change, you will begin to "tweek" the posture, and also to "push" yourself a bit. It will all happen with time and patience, "sthira sukham asanam" "the posture should be steady and comfortable" (Patanjali II-46). Good luck!

12-06-2007, 04:33 PM	#8
redist Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1	Hi there. I have a question about growing with yoga.. How many inches can I gain by yoga exercises? I'm 20 years old and I'm only 168cm (5'6) and I really really want to be 171cm (5'7 1/2). This will help me so much with some things... I think that I'm still gowing up. I grew about 1/2 inch during last 4 months. If it's possible... can you show me the exercises at the some www? Thanks for any replies...