One of the most challenging aspects of yoga instruction that I hear as an anatomy educator are directions that set students up for potential injury. A common one is ‘melt your heart’ which sounds lovely from a strictly philosophical standpoint. I would add that this is a fine verbal instruction for those with a kyphotic curve (rounded/hunch back). But as an instruction in an intermediate/advanced level class in preparation for inversions? Heck no.
The #1 issue with inversions is lack of (a shoulder muscle) serratus anterior engagement, especially in women. This shows up as winging scapula on the back. It is imperative that the shoulder girdle be stable and strong to safely achieve hand stands, forearm stands, etc.
Winging scapula (AKA: “Melt your heart”)
(photo:Heidi Schubert)
Doing a ‘melt your heart’ posture over and over will NEVER LEAD TO SAFE INVERSIONS – or the strength to get there. So what is needed? The answer:
More
functional
anatomy!
The Schatz MethodTM has a shoulder stabilizing exercise that insures safe inversions. Do you know it? If not, just be sure that you can move from downward facing dog to plank and back again without either shoulder blade ‘winging’. If you can, that’s a good indicator that your shoulder girdle is strong enough to bear your body weight in an inversion without injury.
Here’s to seeing the world from a different perspective,
without injury 😉
The Schatz MethodTM is a program like no other
that includes three distinct components.
All three are required to alleviate source pain permanently.
