Why Counter Stretch?

It's amazing what our bodies can do when we try.

The best feeling is when you are able to execute a pose. When we are aiming for a full expression of a certain asana like advance poses, we tend to stretch some parts of our bodies; a stretch that is not normal when we are doing a regular stretching or exercise.

For sure most of us experienced and felt a tight hamstrings, cracking bones when twisting and stiff neck the next day after an intense practice. 2 years ago, when I was still new in yoga, I just keep on practicing asanas that are beyond my body limit and I don’t counter stretch after that. You know the story the next day, for sure I’ll get back, hamstrings and quads pain. Until I joined Real Yoga Studio here in Singapore, I learned different techniques and know the benefits of counter stretching.  
 

Counter Stretching is as important of doing stretching in the beginning of the class or performing advance asanas. Doing these calms the muscles and realigning the bones and joints; it relieves bone compressions especially in the lower back after performing deep backbends. Let me share some counter stretching asanas that can be perform after deep backbends, intense forward bends and powerful yoga flow.




Mathsyasana or Fish Pose is one of the best counter stretches after intense Front Bend Asanas.

Halasana to Karnapidasana is my favourite counter stretch after Backbend Asanas.



Who doesn't love Savanasana or Corpse Pose
as a resting and counter stretching pose?



 

There are more amazing counter stretch poses that you can do after your practice.

 

Some very good counter stretch after deep back bend asanas:

-Padahastasana

-Janu Sirsasana

-Paschimotanasana

-Baddha Konasana

-Pavanmuktasana

 

Some very good counter stretch after intense forward bend asanas:

-Setubandasana

-Kandhrasana

-Chakrasana

-Dhanurasana

-Salabhasana

-Kapotasana

 

Twisting Asanas are really good counter stretch after front bend, back bend asanas and yoga flow; here are some of the twisting poses that you can perform:

-Merudandhasana

-Parivritta Trikonasana

-Parivritta Parsvakonasana

-Marichiasana C and D

-Purna Matsyendrasana

 

List of asanas mentioned above are from the book "Yoga Sadhana and the Secrets of Pranayama" by Swami Sudhir Anand