Yoga Instructors: What style do I need to work on to develop my flexibility?

Question by Ben: Yoga Instructors: What style do I need to work on to develop my flexibility?
I have been practicing yoga for almost 4 years, I am a strong level 2-3. I was involved in body building before finding yoga. I practice primarily ashtanga yoga, but am now reaching a point where my flexibility is keeping me from progressing to advanced transitions.

Some of my goals are to create at least a 90 degree angle at my hips while keeping a straight back and legs. Getting my hips all the way down to the floor in virasana and pigeon. Lotus? Increased range of motion in my wrists. Standing pada gustasana with a straight leg and back, and being able to rotate the leg out in this pose, etc.

I have all the props, and am willing to find more if necessary.

If you could please let me know what I will need to practice I would appreciate it very much. At yogaglo.com I have access to yin yoga, anasura hatha, kundalini.

Also if you know some web sites with strap assisted poses...

Whatever you think is relevant.

Thank you in advance

and Namaste
Please read the question. If you are not an instructor do not answer. you may be reported.

Best answer:
I am not an instructor but I practice Vinyasa Yoga and it is helping me a lot with my flexibility and my balance,

How to Use Yoga Props - Blocks, Mats, Straps, with Workout [VHS]

yoga props - click on the image below for more information.

yoga props

If you're someone who wants to get into yoga but are so stiff that even touching your toes is a struggle, then this tape will help. Unlike its companion tape, How to Use Props: Bolsters, Blankets, Pillows, which focuses on the passive, "restorative" yoga style, this one employs props with a variety of more active poses, using them specifically to promote correct alignment and support and thus enable the user to feel the full benefits of a given posture without unnecessary strain (not to me

How to Use Yoga Props - Blocks, Mats, Straps, with Workout [VHS]

Click on the button for more yoga props information and reviews.

Yoga Mat and Yoga Props

Article by Anna

As with all exercise plans and fitness regimes, we all want tools and aids to help us to be really good at our chosen style. In yoga, various fads went unnoticed for a long time, as practitioners were dedicated to the simple yet effective basic style of yoga and these additional extras were deemed unnecessary by many.

Iyengar yoga for example have used props within their classes as a means of students being able to achieve all of the benefits of correct positioning and advanced postures, even if the students did not have the full flexibility or range of movement. Using a prop such as a block enables the student to not have to strain their body and receive an injury for the sake of pushing to reach a more advance final position.

They also work well with injured or tired students as they can still participate without straining at all. Iyengar yoga still focuses on balance, flexibility, strength and stamina but the use of props enables the beginners to participate and to reach their maximum potential right from the start.

Props include:

Blocks rectangle blocks which can be stacked on top of one another to the required height so that the student can still master the correct pose even though not be able to reach the advanced position.

Yoga mat- these come in all different colors and textures and help the student to be more confident when practicing.

Belts- these help the student to be able to reach further without straining.

A yoga mat is one of the most important pieces of equipment, which should be purchased. Although most classes will have some spare mats, there is nothing like having your own, which eventually becomes an extension of yourself. A yoga mat is an inexpensive purchase and they can also depict your personality or characterize your own working space.

Whether at home or in the class, unrolling your yoga mat can immediately make you feel ready for your practice session on a psychological level. Even more importantly, having the right type of yoga mat can prevent injuries from occurring through slipping. It is essential to have full trust of the equipment that is used in each session, from belts to blocks to a yoga mat; they are then to help and to not hinder.

Other items which can help in a yoga practice session and can also make the session vastly different is the use of a yoga ball, these are used in other exercise programs too but can help with strength and balance when used in yoga. There is a multitude of DVDs available all showing different styles or sessions of yoga, these can help with much needed practice at home and it looks like yoga props may be here to stay.

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