Crescent Lunge For Strong Legs (Video)

Yoga Lesson Planning Clinic
How To Teach Crescent Lunge
Anjaneyasana

Step 1
Teach The Benefits

• Opens hips & groins
• Stretches calves, thighs & hamstrings

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Step 2
Teach The Steps

1)  From dog, step right foot up inside right hand on an inhalation. If foot doesn’t make it all the way up, move it into position with right hand.

2) Bend right knee so that it is directly over right ankle with right thigh parallel to floor.

3) Come onto fingertips to avoid placing too much weight in your hands.

4) Roll shoulder blades down back, lengthen spine & bring gaze to horizon.

5) Extend from back heel to crown of head.

6) Hold up to five breaths & return to down dog on an exhalation.

7) Repeat with the left leg forward.

Click here for a video tutorial of a yoga lunge.

Step 3
Teach Modifications

• Play with straightening the front leg for a hamstring stretch.  You can move back/forth between a bent and straight front leg a few times.

Step 4
Make Adjustments

Most students really appreciate getting an adjustment from you.  It demonstrates that you are paying attention and they are getting great value for their money.  Here are some typical adjustments for Crescent Lunge…

Anterior Rotated Pelvis Adjustment (video tutorial)
If your student has a big arch in their lower back it means they have an anterior rotated pelvis. To adjust bring your fist into sacrum and ask the student to move it back into your fist (front ribs will drop).

Knee Adjustment (video tutorial)
If the student’s front knee caves in, bring it in alignment with their toes.

Railway Track Adjustment (video tutorial)
If the student finds it hard to balance ask to shuffle their front front out towards the edge of the mat.  The legs will go from feeling like they are on a tight rope to being on a railroad track which will give the student a strong foundation.

Shaky In The Back Leg Adjustment (video tutorial)
If your student is shaky in the back leg walk to the front and bring palm to the front of the knee cap and ask him/her to push into your hand and reach back with his/her back leg.

Click here for more info about the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner.