Forearm Balance/Dolphin on The Wall

Benefits:
- Strengthens and opens shoulders, upper back and arms
- Releases tension in back and neck
- Strengthens and revitalizes core and legs
- Lubricates spinal discs, keeping them healthy
- Increases oxygen flow to the brain
- Natural mood enhancer and anti-depressant :)
- Energy booster -- turning sluggish energy into vibrancy
- Improves blood circulation & cleanses blood and lymph fluid
- Combats the compressive & degenerative effects of gravity
- For many pregnant women, reduces bladder pressure


Alignment:
- Forearms parallel, slightly narrower than shoulder width
- Middle fingers pointing forward, un-kinking wrists
- NECK RELAXED, ears in-line with upper arms, head off the floor
- Feet together or hip distance apart
- If using wall: Forearm balance - finger-tips touching wall Dolphin on Wall - feet hip height, legs parallel to floor torso & legs form 90 degree angle


How to work in the pose:
- Forearm Balance: come in & out of the pose with straight legs,
reaching strongly through ball of foot
- Hands active, pressing firmly thru web between thumb & index finger
- Tuck tailbone up & pull up steadily through sit bones
- Legs turned on, either reaching up or pressing into wall
- Ankles squeeze towards each other, turning on inner leg muscles
- Press chest through to open armpits & shoulders



Pose Variations:
- Dolphin on the wall is a downlevel option for Forearm Balance
- Shoulder injured: work with hands clasped
- Hamstring injured: kick up with injured leg, lower down with non-injured leg
- Back injured: work Dolphin on Wall until core muscles are strong
enough to hold length in spine, staying out of compression
- Legs can do a variety of poses: splits, twisted root, 1/2 lotus, lotus...

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Yoga Inversions
• Forearm Balance
• Dolphin on The Wall
• Pinchu Mayurasana
• Forrest Yoga
• Steve Emmerman
• Talya Ring