Conversation

okay uh lemme describe 6 positions i'm using to stretch and release tension in my legs and pelvis. i have no idea if any of these will work for anyone else but here goes

Quote Tweet

Loopy

@strangestloop

· Jan 19

Replying to @QiaochuYuan

congrats also post the exact movements you did

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

1. semi-supine. this is something i learned from a friend who gave me an alexander technique session. the books under the head are important. you want to balance your knees in a way that feels effortless which will take some messing around alexander-technique-online.com/defining-the-a

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

you also ideally want to maintain expanded awareness while in the position. this is a "home base" position i return to after doing other stretches (or emotional / energy stuff) to see if new stuff wants to relax here. if you only try one position on this list, try this one

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

2. slav squat / garland pose. relaxes my hips and lower back and i think it maybe helps my digestion a bit? i like it so much i do it in public. it does strain my legs a bit but welp

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

3 + 4. okay had to google to find names for these but i guess they're called butterfly and reclined butterfly pose. relaxes my hips and inner thighs. i imagine a lot of people will be too tight for these positions to be relaxing so maybe don't start here idk

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

5. okay this one is apparently called the half-split. idk the names of any muscles but i do this to stretch my inner thighs mostly (which are normally *very* tight). need to be careful to find a position that is mostly comfortable and only a bit of a stretch, and wait there

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

6. whatever this is called (seated hamstring stretch?) except my torso is upright and i don't use my hand for anything. needed to find a position where it was only a bit of a stretch. they completely fucked up teaching me this in gym class smdh i went way too far

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

bonus: also sometimes i will just "lie down like a normal person" which i gather is called supine position maybe. this is another "home base" position i return to after doing other stuff to see what wants to relax. i try to keep my spine and legs and arms lengthened

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

@QiaochuYuan

Jan 19

hmm am i just doing yoga?

@wholebodyprayer

@embryosophy

, any other suggestions you'd add for legs and pelvis stuff? also curious

@visakanv

to hear how this matches up with what you're doing

rosalind 𓅮

@wholebodyprayer

Jan 20

According to what the world usually understands as yoga, yes… according to what i would call it, no —lovely stretching tho— it would be yoga if the body mvmt was for the purpose of the deliberate & special breath, in service to that, & had main effect of directing/stilling mind

QC (in Berlin 7/29-???)

Replying to

and

hmm. yeah my attention isn't particularly on either the breath or the mind rn, trying specifically to release long-held patterns of bodily tension. some of it is improving my breathing and/or making me less anxious tho

1:31 AM · Jan 20, 2022Twitter Web App

Replying to

and

sounds like the process of releasing long-held tension patterns is giving you more space to pay attention to your breath as you unravel them, and i think it’s wonderful that you’ve discovered the postures that are working for you in this way

+ big buddhi +

@embryosophy

Jan 20

bearing in mind that i have no specific knowledge of what tension patterns you’re unraveling in you body, i do observe that you seem to be doing static stretches, so i’m also going to suggest gentle movement:

Show replies

Replying to

and

Sounds perfect and is making me want to stretch out right now too