🧘♂️ Dive into the world of Yin Yoga with Bernie Clark as we explore the Saddle Pose with Variations or Supta Vajrasana (hero pose), a powerful asana designed for deep relaxation and stress relief. Whether familiar with the Saddle Pose or trying it for the first time, this tutorial offers step-by-step guidance to ensure you can safely and effectively incorporate this pose into your practice. 👣 Getting Started with Saddle Pose: - Bernie introduces the Saddle Pose by ensuring it's suitable for everyone. He suggests sitting on the heels to check for discomfort in the ankles, offering modifications such as placing a blanket or folded towel underneath for extra support. - Attention is then directed to the knees, where Bernie advises using blocks or cushions for those with knee issues or significant muscle mass that prevents sitting comfortably in the pose. - The progression into the pose begins with leaning back on the hands, creating a gentle extension from the thighs to the front of the hips, which may be sufficient for some practitioners. 🌈 Deepening the Saddle Pose: - For those looking for a deeper stretch, Bernie explains how to use a bolster to support the back, allowing the arms to open to the side or overhead to intensify the hip stretch. - He emphasizes that flexibility varies among individuals, noting that more flexible practitioners might be able to lie all the way down to the floor, possibly extending their arms overhead for an added stretch. 🌀 Emphasizing Sensation Over Appearance: - Bernie clarifies that the critical focus in Yin Yoga, particularly with the Saddle Pose, is on the sensation it provides rather than how it looks. This approach encourages listening to the body and respecting its limits, ensuring a beneficial and sustainable practice. - He also mentions that it's normal for the knees to lift slightly off the floor due to tight quadriceps, reassuring that the pose's effectiveness is not diminished. ✨ Closing Thoughts: - As the tutorial concludes, Bernie invites practitioners to find their expression of the Saddle Pose or Supta Vajrasana, encouraging them to close their eyes and fully immerse in the experience. The goal is to allow time and gravity to work their magic, facilitating stress relief and a more profound sense of relaxation. 🔔 Subscribe for more insightful Yin Yoga tutorials from Bernie Clark. Share your journey with the Saddle Pose in the comments below, and let us know how it has impacted your practice. 👉 Full tutorial https://asanaathome.com/saddle-pose-yin-yoga-supta-vajrasana/ 👉Join Bernie's Weekly Yin Class https://asanaathome.com/yin-yoga-classes/ 👉Get Certified to Teach Yin Yoga https://asanaathome.com/yin-yoga-teacher-training/ #YinYoga #BernieClark #SaddlePose #StressRelief #YogaTutorial #Flexibility #mindfulness #SuptaVajrasana #heropose