SURFSET Challenge poses February 2017

Kukkuta! It’s the year of the rooster! Time to puff up your chest and prepare your thighs, cos it’s challenge time! Can’t do it? Wing it!

As usual, we shall go straight into poses and not mention things like pinapple tarts, bak kwa, and yusheng. Onward!

 

Rooster Pose (Kukkutasana)

Of course. You didn’t think we’d miss this opportunity, did you? Time to get Kukku!

Rooster pose is a pretty challenging arm balance pose that requires a high degree of flexibility, strength, and balance.

Rooster Pose

She’s flying!

How to do a Rooster pose

  • First sit in lotus pose (Padmasana)
  • Put your arms in-between the gape of your thighs and calf muscles, and your palms should touch the board through this gape.
  • Now spread out your fingers, pointing forward.
  • Push your palms as much as possible.
  • You have to support your body weight by your palms.

Wide-legged Forward Bend

A nice pose which toddlers are very partial to. Every once in a while we see kids do this in the supermarket aisle, presumably to look behind them.

Wide Leg Forward Bend

Shuyi’s good at yoga, not so much at photography…

How to do a wide leg forward bend

  • Start with feet wide apart, one on the main pad and the other on the foot pad. With a flat back exhale forward bringing the palms to the board under the shoulders.
  • Use the arms to pull the forehead down towards the floor, bending the elbows towards the back wall. Press into the feet, lengthening the legs to press the hips up toward the ceiling.
  • Feel the spine being pulled in opposite directions as you press the head down and lift the hips up.

Urdhva Upavista Konasana

Catch a tiger by two toes.

Urdhva Upavista Konasana

Shuyi pulling her legs Upa

How to do a Urdhva Upavista Konasana

  • Begin sitting in Butterfly pose (Badhakonasana)
  • Wrap two fingers around each big toe
  • Lean back, lifting both heels an inch or two off of the floor as you balance on your sit bones
  • Straighten your legs out towards the corners of the room

Have fun with these poses!