In an article by Todd Lavictoire I read this quote: “I do believe that we can find balance and have a positive relationship with chaturanga dandasana,
but I believe that that relationship is more complicated then just being able to do it with proper alignment and intention.”This article really made me think! I have for some time now been a big advocate of doing chaturanga in proper form, and of doing cobra rather than up dog until a solid understanding of shoulder alignment is reached. I felt this way because I saw SO many unnecessary repetitive stress injuries… people totally blowing out their rotator cuffs due to fast mindless chaturangas over and over again all in the name of yogic practices to expand consciousness and health. I called BS and swore I would fight for good alignment in the chaturanga dandasana to cobra/up-dog world. But now I tend to agree with Todd. Even if you do it in impeccable alignment is it really necessary to do SO many chaturangas in every yoga class? Probably not… lets get a little bit more creative in yoga class shall we? Maybe a little more lateral flexion please? And lets think about what we are doing and WHY we are doing it with discernment rather than repeating what we saw on TV, in a book, or on a neighbor’s mat.