Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

ALIGNMENT

HIP FLEXOR STRETCH MECHANICS

Hip flexor stretch mechanics begins with understanding that stability and length often come from opposing actions. In the first demonstration, Matt cues the back inner thigh to lift upward, which tips the pelvis slightly anterior. Against that motion, the front buttock scoops underneath. He explains that these actions seem to compete, yet they actually cooperate to organize the pelvis and protect the low back. As the back inner thigh lifts and reaches away, the front buttock gently presses down and under, while the front heel grounds into the floor. The result is a stable platform that allows the hip flexors to lengthen without collapsing the lumbar spine. When these mechanics work together, the stretch becomes more intentional and supportive rather than passive. Hip flexor stretch mechanics reminds us that thoughtful muscular engagement often unlocks the most sustainable mobility in our practice.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

CHAKRA VINYASA

PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY MODERATE VINYASA

  • 10 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Inspirational and Practical Philosophy
  • Chakra Based Practices
  • ‘Physically Invigorating Yet Accessible
  • Breath Work for Energetic Realignment
  • Meditation for Clarity, Focus, and Grounding
  • Physically Well Rounded: All Postural Categories Will be Addressed
  • Designed as “Your Daily Yoga” 60 Minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • Chromatic Slow Flow Style: Moderate Vinyasa Pacing Infused with Technique and Non-dogmatic Alignment
  • 10 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 10 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

TECHNIQUES IN HIGH LUNGE

In High Lunge, Matt refines these same mechanics. The back inner thigh continues to lift and reach backward while the front buttock scoops underneath to steady the pelvis. The heel presses firmly into the mat, reinforcing the length through the back leg. Once that base is organized, the arms reach upward and the chest lifts. Matt suggests gently drawing the abdomen upward, which cues the fascia to respond with a supportive lift through the front body. The low back moves slightly forward as the heart rises upward, creating space rather than compression. Hip flexor stretch mechanics becomes clearer here: the stretch deepens not because we sink further, but because the body organizes upward and outward simultaneously.

WATCH THE VIDEO

HIP FLEXOR STRETCH MECHANICS: CONNECT TO THE HEART CHAKRA

GET MORE FROM MONKEY POSE

When transitioning toward Monkey Pose, Matt keeps the same principles intact. The pelvis continues to balance between the lifting back inner thigh and the grounding action of the front leg. Even as the legs lengthen apart, the focus remains on maintaining structure rather than chasing range. By pressing through the heel and stabilizing the hips, the stretch distributes evenly through the hip flexors and hamstrings. This approach ensures the spine remains supported while the legs explore deeper length. Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics shows that Monkey Pose becomes more productive when the pelvis remains organized and the legs maintain active participation rather than simply sliding into flexibility.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

LENGTH IN ANJANEYASANA 

Length in Anjaneyasana evolves through an added thigh stretch. Matt guides us to bend the back knee and reach for the foot, gently kicking the foot into the hand to activate the quadriceps. The hand resists lightly while the foot presses back with about twenty percent effort. This creates a facilitated stretch rather than a passive pull. As the torso lifts and the abdomen opens, the quads stay engaged and the chest expands. The back knee can subtly pull forward while the foot presses backward into the hand, intensifying the hip flexor length safely. Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics becomes clearer here: by activating both sides of the joint, the body finds more support and depth without strain.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

CONNECTION TO THE HEART

Connection to the Heart emerges naturally from these mechanics. Matt reminds us that the heart chakra is associated with softness, compassion, and connection beyond the individual self. In this posture, the belly remains soft while the heart lifts upward. That softness allows the front body to open without forcing the stretch. The heart chakra is often described as the bridge between the lower and upper centers of the body, connecting physical grounding with more expansive awareness. As the hip flexors lengthen and the chest opens, the posture invites a broader perspective. Instead of striving for a deeper stretch alone, the practice encourages openness and receptivity. Hip flexor stretch mechanics ultimately supports this idea: when the body organizes with balance and intention, the heart has space to rise and connect outward.

Register for Matt’s upcomiong online yoga immersion Chakra Vinyasa to unveil another layer of your practice. 

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Chakras & The Elements Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch MechanicsALIGNMENTHIP FLEXOR STRETCH MECHANICS Hip flexor stretch mechanics begins with understanding that stability and length often come from opposing actions. In the first demonstration, Matt cues the back inner thigh to lift upward, which tips...

read more
A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The ShouldersSTABILITYA YOGA TREATMENT FOR THE SHOULDERS Shoulders tend to speak up when stability is missing. Matt reminds us that building strength isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about support, resilience, and keeping the body working as one...

read more
Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop StrengthMECHANICSREVERSE TABLETOP STRENGTH “Solid” implies strength,  yet in yoga, we can easily lose sight of how intentionally building the back body supports everything we do. Reverse Tabletop may look simple, but it asks a lot from the posterior...

read more
Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose LegsMECHANICSFOCUS ON EAGLE POSE LEGS When we focus on Eagle Pose legs, it’s tempting to assume the bind is a flexibility test. But this posture quietly reveals something more nuanced: timing, joint mechanics, and how efficiently the legs organize...

read more
Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The MatGROUNDINGBUILD CONNECTION ON THE MAT Building connection on the mat starts at the place we tend to overlook: our feet. If we only practice the “shape” of a posture, we can miss the biomechanics that change how the whole pose feels from the...

read more
Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

STABILITY

A YOGA TREATMENT FOR THE SHOULDERS

Shoulders tend to speak up when stability is missing. Matt reminds us that building strength isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about support, resilience, and keeping the body working as one integrated system. This practice becomes a yoga treatment for the shoulders by addressing vulnerability with intelligent loading and clear mechanics. What looks simple on the surface asks us to organize the back body, refine scapular placement, and strengthen the muscles that hold us upright. Reverse plank becomes our entry point, activating the rear deltoids, triceps, and upper back while teaching the shoulder heads to roll back into safer alignment. Instead of chasing stretch, we build structure.  When structure improves, health follows, because strong shoulders don’t just move better, they stabilize everything above and below them.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

YOGA FOR STRENGTH

YOGA ASANA, CALISTHENICS,  BODY WEIGHT TRAINING

  • 8 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating Yet Accessible
  • Calisthenics and Body Weight Training For Improved Strength and Functionality
  • Improve Joint Integrity, Mobility, Balance, Stability, and Muscular Health
  • All Major Movement Joints
  • Designed as “Your Daily Yoga” 60 Minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • Chromatic Slow Flow Style: Moderate Vinyasa Pacing Infused with Technique and Non-dogmatic Alignment
  • 8 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 8 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

TARGET THE REAR DELTOIDS

From Reverse Plank, Matt directs us to internally rotate the arms while rolling the shoulder heads back, immediately waking up the posterior shoulder fibers. Pressing the hands down and back engages the triceps and rear deltoids, creating shoulder extension while drawing the shoulder blades toward each other. This is the opposite muscle pattern of plank and that contrast is a vital tool. As hips lift, we actively retract the scapula and feel the back body participate. This portion of a yoga treatment for the shoulders teaches us how pushing backward through the arms creates support through the upper spine. It’s not passive holding, it’s intentional effort that conditions the muscles behind the shoulders to carry load, preparing us for deeper backbends and arm-supported shapes later.

WATCH THE VIDEO

A YOGA TREATMENT FOR THE SHOULDERS: 3 POSTURES TO ASSIST WITH STRENGTH & STABILITY

UPWARD FACING DOG MINI WORKSHOP

Before full Upward Dog, Matt slows everything down. Using blocks, we rehearse shoulder alignment first: shrug up, roll back, then press down through the hands while keeping the chest moving forward. That downward press lights up the posterior shoulders, triceps, and muscles between the shoulder blades. Only then do we add spinal extension. When we move into Upward Dog, knees start further forward so weight transfers clearly into the hands. Pulling the blocks back draws the chest through, lifting the heart without collapsing into the lower back. This phase of a yoga treatment for the shoulders teaches us that Upward Dog isn’t about hanging in flexibility, it’s about pressing, organizing, and letting the shoulders guide safe spinal lift.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

ISOMETRIC ROTATIONS

Side plank introduces opposing actions that stabilize the rotator cuff. Matt cues us to externally rotate the upper arm until the shoulder head rolls back, then internally rotate against that action without moving, creating an isometric lock. This co-contraction keeps the joint centered while we push through the hand and stack the feet. The power originates at the scapula and travels through the arm into the palm. He also reminds us to stay engaged as we exit poses, releasing effort only once weight is gone.  This is a key injury prevention habit. These isometric rotations complete a yoga treatment for the shoulders, teaching us how opposing muscle groups work together to protect the joint under load.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

STABILITY YOU CAN CARRY FORWARD

What ties this practice together is awareness under effort. From reverse plank to Upward Dog to side plank, Matt shows us how deliberate activation builds lasting support. Rear deltoids, triceps, rotator cuff, and scapular stabilizers all learn to share responsibility instead of leaving the shoulders vulnerable. This is why framing these actions as a yoga treatment for the shoulders works. It trains coordination, not just muscles. As Matt demonstrates each drill, we see how structure creates freedom: shoulders roll back, hearts lift, and strength becomes functional. These aren’t isolated exercises, they’re transferable skills that show up in backbends, arm balances, and everyday posture. When we move with intention, the shoulders stop compensating and start cooperating.

If you missed it, you can still access Matt’s recent online yoga immersion Yoga For Strength.  Get lifetime access here.

 

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Yoga For Strength Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch MechanicsALIGNMENTHIP FLEXOR STRETCH MECHANICS Hip flexor stretch mechanics begins with understanding that stability and length often come from opposing actions. In the first demonstration, Matt cues the back inner thigh to lift upward, which tips...

read more
A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The ShouldersSTABILITYA YOGA TREATMENT FOR THE SHOULDERS Shoulders tend to speak up when stability is missing. Matt reminds us that building strength isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about support, resilience, and keeping the body working as one...

read more
Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop StrengthMECHANICSREVERSE TABLETOP STRENGTH “Solid” implies strength,  yet in yoga, we can easily lose sight of how intentionally building the back body supports everything we do. Reverse Tabletop may look simple, but it asks a lot from the posterior...

read more
Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose LegsMECHANICSFOCUS ON EAGLE POSE LEGS When we focus on Eagle Pose legs, it’s tempting to assume the bind is a flexibility test. But this posture quietly reveals something more nuanced: timing, joint mechanics, and how efficiently the legs organize...

read more
Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The MatGROUNDINGBUILD CONNECTION ON THE MAT Building connection on the mat starts at the place we tend to overlook: our feet. If we only practice the “shape” of a posture, we can miss the biomechanics that change how the whole pose feels from the...

read more
Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop Strength

MECHANICS

REVERSE TABLETOP STRENGTH

“Solid” implies strength,  yet in yoga, we can easily lose sight of how intentionally building the back body supports everything we do. Reverse Tabletop may look simple, but it asks a lot from the posterior core: the Quadratus Lumborum, Erector Spinae, glutes, and the muscles between the shoulder blades all work together to lift and stabilize the spine.

Matt guides us through these drills while his wife, @dancinbecka, demonstrates each shape, showing how accessible movements can become powerful when done with purpose. The focus isn’t flashy transitions,  it’s learning how to wake up the back body in ways that actually translate into better posture, stronger backbends, and more resilient shoulders. What seems basic becomes deeply effective when we slow down and recruit the right muscles.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

YOGA FOR STRENGTH

YOGA ASANA, CALISTHENICS,  BODY WEIGHT TRAINING

  • 8 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating Yet Accessible
  • Calisthenics and Body Weight Training For Improved Strength and Functionality
  • Improve Joint Integrity, Mobility, Balance, Stability, and Muscular Health
  • All Major Movement Joints
  • Designed as “Your Daily Yoga” 60 Minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • Chromatic Slow Flow Style: Moderate Vinyasa Pacing Infused with Technique and Non-dogmatic Alignment
  • 8 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 8 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

BRIDGE POSE ON YOUR BACK

We begin on our backs in Bridge Pose to establish spinal extension without the complexity of weight-bearing on the hands. Matt cues robot arms first, drawing the shoulder blades together as the heart lifts upward. From there, the hips rise using the buttock muscles, not momentum.

Interlacing the hands behind the back adds another layer, pressing the arms into the floor to activate the upper back. This creates a full posterior-chain engagement: glutes drive the pelvis up while the muscles between the shoulder blades help open the chest.

It’s a simple setup, but it teaches an important pattern, which is lift from the back body, not just the front core. Bridge becomes our rehearsal space for what Reverse Tabletop will soon demand.

WATCH THE VIDEO

REVERSE TABLETOP STRENGTH: BUILD A SOLID BACK

REVERSE TABLETOP DRILL

From Bridge, we transition into Reverse Tabletop. Hips lift, shoulders draw back, and the chest opens like Upward Dog, only now we’re facing the sky. Hand placement is personal; Matt reminds us to choose whatever feels best for the shoulders, since today’s priority is spinal strength.

Pressing through the heels activates the glutes, while the back muscles keep the pelvis buoyant. Then comes the unilateral challenge: lifting one knee at a time. As one leg floats, the pelvis naturally wants to dip and this is where the QL and spinal muscles step in.

Matt cues us to keep both sides of the pelvis level, switching legs and noticing imbalances. Flexed feet increase glute engagement, making the drill more demanding and more rewarding.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

STRAIGHTEN UP

Next, we refine alignment by starting in a Dandasana-like shape: shoulders back, heart open, shoulder blades drawing together. Only after establishing spinal extension do we kick down through the heels and send the hips skyward.

Matt emphasizes relaxing the front body so the back muscles do the real work. This isn’t about crunching, it’s about opening the chest while strengthening the spine. From here, we add controlled repetitions: lifting on the inhale, lightly tapping the hips down on the exhale, then rising again.

Each round reinforces the same message, which is to maintain shoulder position, keep the heart leading, and power the movement from the back body. These small pulses build endurance and coordination where we need it most.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

BUILD YOUR BACK, CHANGE YOUR PRACTICE

Reverse Tabletop teaches us that lasting strength comes from repetition, awareness, and effort. As Matt directs and his wife @dancinbedka demonstrates, we see how consistent engagement of the glutes, spinal muscles, and upper back creates a more supportive relationship with gravity.

By pairing Bridge, Reverse Tabletop, single-leg variations, and controlled lifts, we train the posterior chain to hold us upright, not just in this drill, but across our entire practice. Strong backs lead to better backbends, steadier arm balances, and healthier posture off the mat.

Sometimes the most transformative work happens in unassuming shapes. When we commit to building a solid back body, everything else starts to feel lighter.

If you’re ready to move beyond surface level strength and truly understand how to recruit your body’s potential with precision, join Matt inside his  Yoga For Strength online immersion and experience these principles layered into a full, progressive yoga practices.

 

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Yoga For Strength Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch MechanicsALIGNMENTHIP FLEXOR STRETCH MECHANICS Hip flexor stretch mechanics begins with understanding that stability and length often come from opposing actions. In the first demonstration, Matt cues the back inner thigh to lift upward, which tips...

read more
A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The ShouldersSTABILITYA YOGA TREATMENT FOR THE SHOULDERS Shoulders tend to speak up when stability is missing. Matt reminds us that building strength isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about support, resilience, and keeping the body working as one...

read more
Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop StrengthMECHANICSREVERSE TABLETOP STRENGTH “Solid” implies strength,  yet in yoga, we can easily lose sight of how intentionally building the back body supports everything we do. Reverse Tabletop may look simple, but it asks a lot from the posterior...

read more
Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose LegsMECHANICSFOCUS ON EAGLE POSE LEGS When we focus on Eagle Pose legs, it’s tempting to assume the bind is a flexibility test. But this posture quietly reveals something more nuanced: timing, joint mechanics, and how efficiently the legs organize...

read more
Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The MatGROUNDINGBUILD CONNECTION ON THE MAT Building connection on the mat starts at the place we tend to overlook: our feet. If we only practice the “shape” of a posture, we can miss the biomechanics that change how the whole pose feels from the...

read more
Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

MECHANICS

FOCUS ON EAGLE POSE LEGS

When we focus on Eagle Pose legs, it’s tempting to assume the bind is a flexibility test. But this posture quietly reveals something more nuanced: timing, joint mechanics, and how efficiently the legs organize around one another. The wrap isn’t forced by range alone; it emerges when the thigh rotates, the ankle everts strategically, and the pelvis cooperates. Eversion of the ankle in Chromatic yoga, is an action that is paired with internal rotation of the thigh.

Matt reframes Eagle as a coordination study. Internal rotation of the top thigh allows the leg to spiral closer, while the adductors stabilize the midline so the action doesn’t collapse. The hook of the foot is secondary. What matters is functionality and how the body learns to move in the right direction with intention. When mechanics lead, the shape often follows.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

YOGA FOR STRENGTH

YOGA ASANA, CALISTHENICS,  BODY WEIGHT TRAINING

  • 8 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating Yet Accessible
  • Calisthenics and Body Weight Training For Improved Strength and Functionality
  • Improve Joint Integrity, Mobility, Balance, Stability, and Muscular Health
  • All Major Movement Joints
  • Designed as “Your Daily Yoga” 60 Minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • Chromatic Slow Flow Style: Moderate Vinyasa Pacing Infused with Technique and Non-dogmatic Alignment
  • 8 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 8 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

SUPINE EAGLE

Practicing Eagle legs supine removes balance demands so we can study the mechanics clearly. As the top ankle inverts, the thigh externally rotates—often pushing the legs apart instead of drawing them together. To counter this, the thigh bone must internally rotate, allowing the top leg to “climb” closer to the standing leg.  This action becomes more natural when we evert the ankle.  In the video, we see how quickly internal rotation of the thigh bone occurs when eversion of the ankle occurs.

This is where the adductors also come online. They help guide the legs toward one another while the pelvis subtly hikes to create space. The foot may evert in an attempt to hook, but the goal isn’t the hook itself, it’s learning the pathway. Even without full range, moving in the correct direction trains coordination. Supine work makes it obvious: functionality matters more than how dramatic the wrap looks.

WATCH THE VIDEO

FOCUS ON EAGLE POSE LEGS: WHY THE HOOK STARTS BEFORE THE BIND

MECHANICS AT THE WALL

The wall becomes a teacher when we focus on Eagle Pose legs upright. Using one hand on the wall for support allows the top leg to wrap with better timing and less strain. Facing the chest toward the wall encourages internal rotation of the top thigh while the foot everts behind the calf.

Here, momentum plays a role.  Matt reminds us that it’s not speed, but rather a smooth, wave-like action. Moving too slowly often makes the wrap harder, not easier, because the mechanics stall. A controlled flow allows the joints to coordinate in sequence. The wall also lets us turn away and sit once the legs are organized, reinforcing that the wrap is built before depth is added. Stability first, then shape.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

FREE STANDING EAGLE

Away from the wall, the same principles apply. A kickstand with a yoga block is optional, but even with support, the ankle still everts with intention. The standing foot shortens, the big toe reaches forward, and the pinky toe draws back, creating a responsive base.

Again, a small amount of momentum (never force) helps the legs find their pathway. Once wrapped, sitting lower invites the adductors to stabilize while the tailbone tucks to lock the system in place. Free-standing Eagle reminds us that balance improves when mechanics are respected, not rushed.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

LET THE ACTIONS DO THE WORK

Eagle Pose doesn’t ask for perfection, it respectfully invites participation. When we focus on Eagle Pose legs, the wrap becomes a conversation between ankle mechanics, thigh rotation, pelvic positioning, and adductor strength. The foot hook is simply one possible outcome, not the goal.

By letting actions lead instead of forcing range, the body learns how to organize efficiently. Over time, the bind may appear more easily, but even if it doesn’t, the nervous system has learned something valuable. Eagle becomes more accessible,  not because we pushed harder, but because we listened better.

Learn more about the skills involved in mechanics, functionality and strength of how we move in our asana practice in Matt’s upcoming online immersion Yoga For Strength

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Slow Flow & Go Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch MechanicsALIGNMENTHIP FLEXOR STRETCH MECHANICS Hip flexor stretch mechanics begins with understanding that stability and length often come from opposing actions. In the first demonstration, Matt cues the back inner thigh to lift upward, which tips...

read more
A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The ShouldersSTABILITYA YOGA TREATMENT FOR THE SHOULDERS Shoulders tend to speak up when stability is missing. Matt reminds us that building strength isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about support, resilience, and keeping the body working as one...

read more
Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop StrengthMECHANICSREVERSE TABLETOP STRENGTH “Solid” implies strength,  yet in yoga, we can easily lose sight of how intentionally building the back body supports everything we do. Reverse Tabletop may look simple, but it asks a lot from the posterior...

read more
Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose LegsMECHANICSFOCUS ON EAGLE POSE LEGS When we focus on Eagle Pose legs, it’s tempting to assume the bind is a flexibility test. But this posture quietly reveals something more nuanced: timing, joint mechanics, and how efficiently the legs organize...

read more
Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The MatGROUNDINGBUILD CONNECTION ON THE MAT Building connection on the mat starts at the place we tend to overlook: our feet. If we only practice the “shape” of a posture, we can miss the biomechanics that change how the whole pose feels from the...

read more
Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more

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Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The Mat

GROUNDING

BUILD CONNECTION ON THE MAT

Building connection on the mat starts at the place we tend to overlook: our feet. If we only practice the “shape” of a posture, we can miss the biomechanics that change how the whole pose feels from the inside. Matt reminds us that one action can echo through the body when we know what we’re looking for. Here, the feet become the first teacher. We learn to shorten the sole of the foot by drawing the big toe mound and toe line back toward the heel, and we pair that with a second action: squeezing the legs inward. That inward tone connects to the pelvic floor, which sits like a supportive hammock between the bones of the ilium. Matt cues us to imagine this area like a dome, and when we squeeze in, we contract the dome upward.  When we build connections on the mat it becomes a whole body experience.

chromatic yoga 15 hour immersion

SLOW FLOW & GO

YOGA ASANA, MEDITATION AND PRANAYAMA

  • 10 Chromatic Yoga practices with founder Matt Giordano
  • Physically Invigorating Yet Accessible
  • Breath Work for Energetic Realignment
  • Meditation for Clarity, Focus, and Grounding
  • Themes for Inspiration
  • Physically Well Rounded: All Postural Categories Will be Addressed
  • Designed as “Your Daily Yoga” 60 Minute Classes
  • Non-dogmatic, Anatomy informed Alignment
  • The Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Practice
  • Chromatic Slow Flow Style: Moderate Vinyasa Pacing Infused with Technique and Non-dogmatic Alignment
  • 10 Continuing Education hours with Yoga Alliance and American Yoga Council
  • 10 Accredited Practice Hours with the Chromatic School of Yoga
  • Step-by-Step instruction for increased accessibility
  • Sweat, Breath, Strengthen, Stretch and Feel Amazing!

WARRIOR II FEET

In Warrior II, Matt has us relax the hands first and choose a long stance we can actually control. He cues a subtle shift of the pelvis back, almost like sitting into a chair behind us, so the base feels organized before the arms even lift. Then we find the front foot: a slight lean into the big toe side, and we “scrunch” the sole to build a strong arch.  This happens when the big toe mound draws toward the heel. We repeat the same idea in the back foot, even though it’s trickier because the ankle is in an inverted position. To relieve strain in the outer ankle ligaments, Matt brings in the second action: squeeze the legs toward each other, like we’re narrowing the gap between the inner thighs. That squeeze creates the doming effect up through the pelvis and spine. When we build Connection on the mat it feels less like holding a stance and more like standing inside a support line.

WATCH THE VIDEO

BUILD CONNECTION ON THE MAT: HOW YOUR FEET INFORM YOUR PRACTICE

GET MORE OUT OF SIDE ANGLE PREPARATION 

From that Warrior II base, Matt takes us into Side Angle preparation with forearm to thigh, but he keeps the focus on the feet first. We shorten the soles again (big toe mound toward heel), then we let the inner thighs isometrically contract just enough that the posture starts to feel “self-held.” He cues a slight inward turn of the back thigh, which helps the back leg stop leaking out into the outer ankle. The squeeze of the legs becomes the bridge to pelvic floor support: inner thighs draw in, and the pelvic floor “dome” lifts upward rather than dropping down and forward.  Matt suggests that the right hand (when it’s the front hand) can lower toward the ground without collapsing the base.  Additionally, the chest lengthens forward and the top arm reaches to the sky. Build connection on the mat turns Side Angle into a posture we can trust, not one we brace through.

200 Hour Online Teacher Training Certification

200 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET CERTIFIED & DEEPEN YOUR YOGA PRACTICE

  • Deepen your yoga practice
  • Build confidence speaking in front of groups in person and online
  • Learn foundational class structures and templates
  • Learn techniques for a wide range of yoga postures
  • Get certified and highly qualified to teach yoga
  • Yoga Alliance Globally Recognized Certification Program

LIZARD CONNECTION

In Lizard, Matt keeps it simple and grounded. First, the front foot steps out, back knee lowers, and we lift the hips slightly, “stick the bum up” just enough to create space. He cues an inhale to lift the chest, then an exhale down to the elbows for a few breaths. Even here, in order to build connection on the mat we stay with a “foot-led” mentality. Matt has us look at the front foot and rebuild the arch by committing to the same action of the big toe and big toe mound squeezing back toward the heel. Then he layers in traction (pulling the front heel back toward the knee while the back knee subtly drags forward toward the heel). This again creates a controlled isometric “hug” through the legs. That action wakes up the inner thighs and gives the pelvis more integrity, so the stretch becomes intelligent instead of sloppy. The result is a lizard that feels supported from the ground up, not just deep.

300 hour teacher training online

300 HOUR ONLINE TEACHER TRAINING

GET 500 HOUR CERTIFIED AS A MASTER TEACHER

Master your skill set as a teacher through refined techniques, anatomy, biomechanics, sequencing, philosophy, meditation techniques, theming, yoga business, and much more!

  • Get 500 hour certified
  • Learn anatomy, biomechanics, asana techniques
  • Expand your teaching skills
  • Masterful sequencing and verbal delivery
  • Learn meditation and breathwork techniques
  • Transformative tools: theming, dharma talks, satsang

ROOT, DOME, RISE

So, to build connection on the mat it’s ultimately two actions repeated in different “clothing”.  The “outfits” includes shortening of  the sole, and a squeeze of the legs in. The feet give us a clear starting point which is having the arch active, big toe mound drawing toward heel and then the inner thighs take the message upward into pelvic floor for support. Matt’s dome image is powerful because it keeps the pelvic floor from becoming vague: we don’t “push down” into effort, we contract the dome upward and let that lift echo through the spine and head. Warrior II teaches the base, Side Angle shows how it holds under reach and rotation, and Lizard proves we can stay connected even in deeper shapes. When we return to these actions consistently, the practice stops being about getting through poses and becomes about building a body that knows how to organize itself. That’s the real promise of a path that builds connection on the mat.

If you want to delve deeper into what our yoga practice has to offer then you won’t want to miss out on Matt’s current online immersion Slow Flow & Glow.

The 200 Hr. Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

The 300 Hr. Advanced Teacher Training: Click Here to See the Next Start Date

Article by Trish Curling

Video Extracted From: Slow Flow & Go Immersion

lotus pose online yoga classes

ONLINE ANATOMY COURSE

  • Accessible, exciting, and easy to learn
  • Anatomy and biomechanics for yoga
  • Appropriate for both teachers and students
  • Learn joint alignment vs pose alignment
  • Demystify yoga poses and transitions
  • Release aches and pains
  • Learn how to avoid common injuries
  • Caters to all levels with modifications and props
  • 20 hours Continued Education Credits with Yoga Alliance
  • 20 hours toward Chromatic Yoga Certification and 300 Hour
  • Lifetime access

Continue Learning

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch Mechanics

Hip Flexor Stretch MechanicsALIGNMENTHIP FLEXOR STRETCH MECHANICS Hip flexor stretch mechanics begins with understanding that stability and length often come from opposing actions. In the first demonstration, Matt cues the back inner thigh to lift upward, which tips...

read more
A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The Shoulders

A Yoga Treatment For The ShouldersSTABILITYA YOGA TREATMENT FOR THE SHOULDERS Shoulders tend to speak up when stability is missing. Matt reminds us that building strength isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about support, resilience, and keeping the body working as one...

read more
Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop Strength

Reverse Tabletop StrengthMECHANICSREVERSE TABLETOP STRENGTH “Solid” implies strength,  yet in yoga, we can easily lose sight of how intentionally building the back body supports everything we do. Reverse Tabletop may look simple, but it asks a lot from the posterior...

read more
Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose Legs

Focus On Eagle Pose LegsMECHANICSFOCUS ON EAGLE POSE LEGS When we focus on Eagle Pose legs, it’s tempting to assume the bind is a flexibility test. But this posture quietly reveals something more nuanced: timing, joint mechanics, and how efficiently the legs organize...

read more
Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The Mat

Build Connection On The MatGROUNDINGBUILD CONNECTION ON THE MAT Building connection on the mat starts at the place we tend to overlook: our feet. If we only practice the “shape” of a posture, we can miss the biomechanics that change how the whole pose feels from the...

read more
Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half Lotus

Flying Revolved Half LotusARM BALANCEFLYING REVOLVED HALF LOTUS Some postures don’t arrive through imitation; they arrive through investigation. Flying Revolved Half Lotus is one of those shapes. It borrows familiar ingredients like Side Crow mechanics, hip opening,...

read more

THE FREE TECHNIQUE PACK

When You Subscribe, You Will Get Instant Access to

  • the Technique Pack: 15 yoga pose breakdowns
  • exclusive online course discounts
  • exclusive blogs and videos
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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