Happy Open Hips

On the scale of Pigeon Poses, which are you most comfortable in: Supta Kapotasana (Reclined Pigeon for beginners), Salamba Kapotasana (Supported Pigeon for intermediate), or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (King Pigeon for advanced)? 

I’m somewhere between Reclined and Supported Pigeon Pose. In my heart, I would love to practice King Pigeon, but I honor where I am today.

Reclined Pigeon Pose (from Yoga U)

Supported Pigeon Pose (from Pexels)

This post is not a step-by-step guide for practicing Pigeon Pose, although it may seem that way. Nor is it a judgement of where you are in the scale of variations. Instead, it is to recognize the importance of hip openers for both your physical and emotional health.

The hips play a critical role in your range of motion and circulation in the body. Tight hips can throw off your alignment causing tension in the spine. Open hips reduce the load on the low back allowing more ease while picking up items from the floor.

King Pigeon Pose

Energetically, the hips have been thought to store emotions and house pent-up energy. When you find yourself in constant fear, obsession, or stuck it may be due to tightness in the hips. When you’re open, you experience an emotional release and have an increase in energy. 

Ultimately, hip opening movements are beneficial whether you practice the advanced or modified version of the posture. You can flow through a Crescent Lunge during a Sun Salutation or recline for five minutes in Bound Angle with the reassurance that your effort is improving your physical and emotional well-being.