It’s good to be adjusted sometimes, you realise that your body can do more than what you thought possible. I had an adjustment in ardha baddha padmottanasana, one of the fundamental standing postures not to be confused with ardha baddha padma paschimottanasana, a sitting posture in the primary series.

In ardha baddha padmottanasana, I was instructed long ago, when I first learnt this pose, not to fold forward until I could bind. I suspected that I could bind in this pose since I could easily bind in ardha baddha padma paschimottanasana, but I was always afraid of folding forwards, so I never tried very hard to bind.

Balancing poses are the most challenging type of asana for me, and I didn’t feel ready to fold forward in ardha baddha padmottanasana. I thought that if I have such a hard time keeping my balance, how would I be able to keep my balance AND fold forward?

Well, today C came around and twisted my shoulders until I could grab my toes. She didn’t have to twist much so I suspected she knew I could bind and thought it was time for me to take the plunge. So I had no choice, I was bound, I had to fold forward.

The tip she gave me that made the world of difference when folding forwards. She said to keep the knee of the straight leg slightly bent to help with balance. To my surprise, this worked like a charm and I didn’t fall over! I wobbled a lot (and I mean a lot) but I didn’t end up on my butt so I’m ecstatic!

Yoga never ceases to amaze me as to what our bodies are capable of, if only you would push past your comfort zone.