Grasshopper Pose and the poses that get us there!

Hey yogis! Today we're going to talk about Grasshopper pose, also known as Parsva Bhuja Dandasana. This pose might look intimidating but you'll never get there if you don't try!

To start, let's break down the pose into its individual components. Grasshopper pose is a combination of an arm balance and a hip opener. It requires strength in the arms, shoulders, and core, as well as flexibility in the hips and hamstrings.

To work towards this pose, it's important to warm up properly. A few rounds of Sun Salutations can help prepare your body for Grasshopper.

Work your Crow! (Bakasana) This arm balance will help build the necessary arm and core strength needed for Grasshopper. Begin in a squatting position with your hands on the ground in front of you. Bring your knees up onto your triceps and lean forward, shifting your weight onto your hands. Slowly lean forward till your feet lift and your crow flies!

Incorporating these hip opening poses into your yoga practice can help prepare you for grasshopper pose by increasing flexibility and mobility in the hips.

1. Pigeon Pose: This pose helps to open the hips and stretch the thighs, groins, and psoas muscles. Begin in a down dog, raise your right leg to the sky and then bring your right knee forward towards your right wrist. Extend your left leg behind you and lower down onto your forearms or a block. Hold for several breaths before switching sides.

2. Lizard Pose: Lizard pose is another great hip opener that targets the hip flexors and hamstrings. Begin in a low lunge with your right foot forward. Lower your right hand to the inside of your right foot and walk your foot out to the edge of your mat. Keep your left knee lifted or lower it down to the ground for a deeper stretch. Hold for several breaths before switching sides.

Ready to try Grasshopper?

• Start with Ardha Utkatasana, Half Chair Pose: bend the left knee and cross the ankle on the right thigh, and bending the right knee, into Chair Pose

• Bring hands to the heart

• Twist and place your elbow or the upper left arm on the sole of the left foot for Parsva Ardha Utkatasana: Half Twisting Chair Pose

• Then exhale and take the hands to the floor, shoulder width apart, elbows close to the body

• Start transferring your weight from the right foot to the arms: come on the tip of the right foot, find a solid contact between your left foot and the upper left arm, raise your hips

• Then lift the right foot, activate the core, keep the elbows close to the torso, and straighten the leg!

• There you are, Grasshopper! Breathe!

Remember to take your time with this pose and listen to your body. It may take some time to build up the strength and flexibility needed for Grasshopper, but with consistent practice, you'll get there!

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