Yoga Strap; How It Helps?
Yoga Straps are quite useful in strengthening and training the body. Yoga Straps come in different varieties, and hence the methods for using them are equally varied.
Yoga Straps are used to tether the hands or feet to the fixed object. Using the strap in the stretches helps you do not have to use the strength of your muscles.
Using yoga straps, your muscles will be in a passive state but as the yoga straps hold your body in the right position you will be able to acquire maximum benefit.
The different varieties of yoga straps have different lengths and widths. Some straps are quite simple in design and others are made up of more than one piece of fabric. You should compare and contrast the type of yoga straps before buying one.
Apart from the length and material of the strap, you should also check the way the straps are tied. You should buy the one that has a long tail as it will provide you with more freedom of movement.
If you do not have yoga straps then you can use a towel or a regular rope to do the same job. If you are using a rope then tie the rope to the fixed object and then tie the other end of the rope around your hand or feet.
How to Tie the Yoga Strap to Achieve Excellent Back Alignment?
A yoga strap is a great tool to help establish good yoga posture when practicing yoga.
There are tons of different brands of yoga straps, but they all work essentially the same.
The strap provides a certain amount of resistance to help you feel the muscles supporting your back and spine. If done correctly, the strap can remind the muscles what to do, when they start to flimsy.
In cross-legged or kneeling positions, the strap when attached to your top foot provides an extension of the strap around the waist. This makes it easier for the muscles to get a feel for the support they need to find in this posture.
Secured around the waist, you are better able to resist and "anchor" into your posture. This can help prevent the anterior pelvic tilt common in beginning yoga students.
By itself, the strap does not improve your posture. The trick is practicing conscientiousness in alignment and using the strap when needed to get your muscles back on track.
To achieve back alignment in your posture, loop the strap over your foot and pull yourself up with your arms (and the strap). It takes a few practice times. It is best to practice in a standing position.
The strap can be used for many of the standing postures as a way to:
- Stay up right
- Improve balance and grip in lunge postures
How to Tie it for Utthita Hasta Padangustasana?
This is a little tricky, but it is also very simple to do.
First take the strap. Tie it securely around your foot. Make sure you tie it correctly and snugly.
Now open up the strap and hold the tighter end of the strap at the top edge of your foot. Stretch it a bit, and tie it back around.
Pull it carefully aside to get both sides from tightening towards the ground.
Then just relax your arms a bit keeping them in the same direction your fingers are pointing.
Have someone watch you to ensure your arms are correctly aligned.
Now, slowly get into the pose. While you are doing it, make sure that the straps do not come out.
While you are in the pose, make sure that the straps stay in place.
Hold this position for about 15 seconds.
How to Tie Your Yoga Strap for Natarajasana or Dancer’s Pose?
Natarajasana is a yoga pose that represents the Indian dancing god, Nataraj. Despite its name providing a recognizable word, it is not meant to reflect a specific picture of the god in any manner except for pose essence which is oneness with the dance or rhythm. So, inevitably, such a name can confuse. It is sometimes called the Dancer’s Pose, but as mentioned earlier, the pose itself has no significance to the god’s appearance.
Another common name for the pose is “Lord of the Dance”.
I have found YouTube videos that are for this pose to be named Dancer’s Strap Pose as well as different variations such as Side Natarajasana. I have also found videos that have the instructions still in Sanskrit, which is not helpful at all since there is no other name identifier.
The pose itself is very simple, but in order to know how to tie your yoga strap or how to tie your yoga belt for this pose, it is crucial to know the proper Sanskrit name for the pose.
While the proper name for the pose is Natarajasana, you may still see it listed as Lord of the Dance. Regardless of whatever you refer to it as, you will have to know how to tie your yoga strap or your yoga belt to achieve it.
How to Tie it for BaddhaKonasana?
Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose), is a way for beginners and experienced yoga practitioners alike to enhance flexibility of your pelvis and hamstrings in the cross-legged position. It’s called Bound Angle because your legs are in a bound position, close to your torso, and your torso angle tends to take on the shape of a 4.
Start in a seated position, cross-legged, and sit up straight. If you are unbalanced with one leg higher than the other, tuck the top leg under the cross piece of the yoga strap and lie it behind the pelvis. This allows you to use the strap and yoga block, to maintain proper posture.
Loop the strap around the sole of the shoe or the ankle and hand the loose end to the knot. Gently pull the strap, until you feel the stretch in the hamstrings. Pull the strap snug, so that the strap goes straight out from the hip and not down toward the knee. Breathe three times and stay in this position for three to five breaths.
You can adjust the strap for whatever is hurting, or that needs the most stretching, that time. Repeat on the other side.
Concluding Thoughts
Struggling to focus on your posture and practice yoga poses correctly? Yoga straps can help!
Yoga straps can be useful in so many different yoga exercises. Not only they help you perfect your poses but also help you with posing and stretching.
Yoga straps can eliminate the need to find a partner. They allow you to practice yoga alone and even let you stay focused on your practice.
Of course, one might argue that yoga is impossible to practice without a partner. Yoga may require a partner in certain poses but only for certain ranges of motion. That said, using Yoga straps give you the freedom to practice with a partner as you can do even these poses on your own!
“Yoga straps are a super handy tool in any yoga student's arsenal. They are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your practice," says certified yoga instructor, Adriane Adler.
For one, using a Yoga strap can help you focus on each pose accurately and get the most out of your practice, as well as, help you master each pose.
It can help you check if there are any bodily limitations and fix any postures you may be having problems with.
It can help you detach yourself from the pressures of Yoga and be fully present. It can do away with the idea that Yoga requires a partner and allows you to focus on your yoga practice.