The big change between our first image and the one above is a testament to the power of using oppositional stretch to fill out an exercise. An oppositional stretch is a stretch that is extends the body in opposing directions at the same time. As soon as Susie tuned into the lines of oppositional energy that run from and through the center of the body, her alignment straightened out and she demonstrates a much more vibrant exercise.
What's better about this pose:
- Susie is stretching in all directions from her center.
- Her head is more in line with her spine.
(We might want her head to be even more horizontal but it is better)
- Her chest is open, no longer rotated forward.
- A good line of energy is running down through her supporting hand and up through the extended elbow. This helped open her chest.
(We might want to see that supporting hand more directly under the shoulders and in line with her knee)
- Notice that Susie is more lifted through her torso.
- Her supporting leg is more vertical. She is using oppositional stretch with her legs and sending energy down into the mat, gaining strength and stability in the pose.
- Her extended leg is lifted to horizontal and you can see a good line of energy extending from the center of her body, through the top of her head, and out through her extended foot.
Now that Susie has her starting position, she is going to do kneeling side kick front/back. She will have to use a lot of core strength to keep this position stable as she moves her leg without letting it effect the rest of her body.
See the full instructions for kneeling side kick front/back
*Kneeling side kick is a somewhat advanced move. You might want to start with side kick lying on the mat.
Thanks to Susie Haggas, instructor at Kolesar Studios, for demonstrating both versions of the exercise. Clothing courtesy of be present.
