Lengthen the spine

[RubberRob]

i had class the other day and the teacher was saying to lengthen the spine then twist in Marichyasana c.

what does it mean?

i can bind on good days in this posture, but how does one lengthen the spine when you're bound? i always feel like i'm slipping out of the pose once i've bound.

also, i can't deepen my breath in marich c either, i feel my chest is too compacted in the pose.

[Shanti]

it means you should lengthen your spine before you initiate the twist. lengthening the spine is as if someone is pulling you from the top of your head and you grow taller. lengthening the spine makes more room between the vertebrae, enabling you to twist more deeply.

generally, you lengthen on an inhalation, then twist on an exhalation.

work on lengthening your spine in other asanas, it should improve your twists in marichyasana C

the lengthening of the spine will also help deepen your breath.

hope this helps!

[YOGAelise]

Great explaination Shanti. I couldn't have said it better.

You know that feeling while you're in Samasthiti? The one where you're reaching to the ceiling with the top of your head, or as my teacher would say "grow taller from the top of your head", that's the same feeling you should get in Marichi C.

But don't get too disheartened with not "perfecting" this pose immediately, it takes time! I'm still loosing Marichi C every now and then, and I've been doing it for a long time!