Yoga Alignment Rules That Don’t Make Sense Yoga Meets Movement Science

Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen discuss a selection of yoga alignment cues that don't make sense! These cues all have one thing in common: they are each used inconsistently across similar (or the same) positions. By examining these carefully-chosen examples, we gain insight into whether or not these cues are actually important. And we improve our ability to think critically about the information we’re taught!
Yoga alignment rules covered in this episode include:
Stack the shoulder over the wrist in plank poseStack the shoulder over the wrist in side plank poseDon’t let the feet turn out in wheel poseDon’t jump back to straight-arm plank pose; instead, jump into bent-elbow chaturangaDon’t transition from closed-to-open hip poses or vice versaDon’t place your foot on your inner knee in tree poseGround your inner hands down in down dogInternally rotate your hips in forward foldsCatch the outer ankle in bow poseEnjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!

Resources mentioned in this episode:


Jenni’s email newsletter
Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis
Online yoga class library & yoga anatomy workshops with Jenni
Strength for Yoga email newsletter
Sara Paige, who inspired the idea for this episode! website / Instagram
YouTube video: Should We Shift Forward Onto Our Toes in Chaturanga?
YouTube video: Is Turning Your Feet Out in Wheel Bad?
YouTube video: Is Jumping Back to Plank Bad for Our Shoulders?
Blog post: No Foot on the Knee in Tree Pose? Questioning the Cue
YouTube video: Should We Avoid Closed to Open Hip Transitions in Yoga?
YouTube video: Should We Ground Our Inner Hands in Down Dog?
To find out more about Travis Pollen: website / Instagram
Music used with generous permission from Dischord A Cappella.
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