Andrew1

Go @Céline Meye!

Cheers @Nathan! I'll keep those cues in mind next time. Today in the backbend, my abs felt particularly stretched and slightly sensitive so I didn't push as hard into it as I feel I could have. I assume the increase in thoracic mobility from passive back bends has exposed my abs to a new stretch. I'd be keen to hear any favourite approaches people take to this For some context, I'm doing the elevated/box bridge once per week at the moment as a way of measuring progress.

Handstand and elevated bridge update:

I'm getting A LOT from all the feedback. Nothing short of insight for me. I'm now rethinking how best to communicate my encounters. I'm leaning towards sharing a video every 2-4 weeks of something that I'd like feedback on, has progressed, or simply an update; alongside some written summaries of the week. Stretching Passive back bends are on the daily. Recent stretches have been solo hip flexor and wall calf stretching. Other reflections The first change I've noticed from a more sedentary lifestyle has been tighter calves. In theory, I'd like to start doing 3 sets per session for a couple stretches. Bouldering twice per week is my sweet spot; progressing nicely. Walking on a handrail is getting a lot easier. Next progression is squatting downwards. I have concluded Alexander Technique lessons for the foreseeable future. The main things I found valuable gained were: Realising my head was habitually being held in a backward tilted position. Realising I habitually pull my head forward when I want to shout. Learning mental cues that reduce unnecessary tension.

Not recently. Did you find it particularly helpful? Thanks! Will do. Yessssss. I'm so keen for that moment.

I see. I definitely cannot perfectly "stack" myself but I think I can be stacked enough for the drill to work. But to be honest, I am yet to properly understand where I'm supposed to be directing my attention after my toes come off the wall. Thanks @Kit_L I'll give that drill a go. Somewhat ironically, shortly after I wrote this, I tried the toe pulls again and I think I'm doing it! NB: I may remove the video after a week.

Thanks for all the input! My lifestyle has drastically changed recently, so those changes have taken priority over these fantastic dialogues, but alas, the blog continues. Agreed. I've been doing passive back bends on a foam roller elevated by a cushion - thanks @MarkusO for the suggestion. However, a new contender has entered and dominated the seen! The 'yoga wheel' has taken it out for me. I came across it when looking at one of Yuri Marmerstein's videos on the topic. I've watched this video and attempted the movement multiple times and the drill isn't connecting for me yet. It may be time to film myself for self-awareness.

Main limbering over the past few days: boxing the compass and baby flop 27/02 Solo hip flexor - just rewatched the YT video on this and realised I haven't tried the second way of contracting yet - it's now on the agenda. Floor quadricep stretch Re handstands, I'm really liking doing a back to wall HS with heel pulls but I am still in the process of figuring out how to properly do chest to wall toe pulls. I've been exploring a few of the bridge limbers and stretches and I have a couple questions. (1) Based on the attached photo, is it too soon for me to be working safely on an elevated bridge? (2) Which passive back bend is ideal (for those like me without a baby whale) - lying on a foam roller or lying on a piano stool with a rolled up towel on it... or something else?

Hanging side bend

Limbered with baby flop and cossack variations Solo hip flexor Wall piriformis

Thanks @Nathan I'll keep that in mind and try a few variations. I must admit, I'm currently a lot closer to the wall than the screenshot I shared.

Revisited L3 boxing the compass and L4 baby flop. Intrigued by the upper and lower body lines the baby flop reveals. In other news... I have been exploring this drill for building balance in a handstand. Definitely still in the process of building comfort with the miniscule moments of the feet coming off the wall. Cartwheels are popped between attempts - seems to lighten the mood a lot. Credit: Bren Veziroglu's youtube. I also found a cylinder handrail at a school which I've been attempting to squat up on and walk across. A decidedly cat-like experience! Credit: Ido Portal 'Just Move'.

14/02 Hanging side bend 16/02 Solo hip flexor Wall calf stretch Lying piriformis Seated piriformis Tailor pose Best hamstring stretch (brutal... need more hip flexor flexibility...) Reflections on what was/is limiting motivation: (1) Viewing stretching as a 'session' similar to a workout or activity on my to-do list would put me off stretching. Instead I am trying to aim to do one stretch and see where I want to take things from there. (2) Stretching alongside videos is harder for me than stretching without videos. After realising this, I have put aside most video input as I have a decent grasp of what I am doing. (3) I like beginning with easier variations of stretches before trying harder ones.

A little cartwheel session, a little hanging, bouldering, then Solo hip flexor Light wrist and toe stretches Lying piriformis Seated piriformis @Kit_L I am told by my teacher that the overly prescriptive types were called Alexandroids. Personally, I have found value in exploring what is involved in sitting and standing with as little tension as possible primarily through questioning habitual patterns and following verbal cues that draw forth a not-doing. There's much more to be said but I will leave it for another day.

Fascinating conversation. I wonder this thread might benefit from more dialogue on how a chair is optimally used by an individual. I bring this up because how a person uses a chair is just as important as the choice of chair. While I agree with the general advice that "not staying in the same position" is good ergonomic advice, I would argue that upright, stillness is a necessary companion to that piece of advice. Re uprightness: There is a mysterious connection, I feel, between an upright posture and deep thought. Being upright is, in my opinion, the most compatible position for fostering deep thought. Re stillness: Sometimes impulses to move can work against our goals as well as our mind's ability to focus. This can happen to me in form of significant fidgeting (or just running away from my desk lol). I would argue that a reduced exaggeration of movement during work can, at times, create significant benefits. Stillness can prompt lower levels of tension and hence, a more relaxed mind that can process tasks clearly. I sometimes play with this approach by seeing if I can transition the fidgeting of my feet toward a sensory appreciation of being aware of part of my foot and how things feel - exactly how some of Kit's meditation's go. I hold these thoughts loosely. Please challenge!