Ep #147: Beyond Flexibility: Building Strength and Control in Yoga with Michael Henri

Unlock the full potential of your yoga practice by understanding the true mechanics behind stretching and mobility. In this episode, the discussion focuses on the importance of balancing flexibility with strength and control, particularly when approaching advanced yoga poses. The speaker dispels the myth that stretching is harmful, emphasizing that it's not the act of stretching itself, but how we stretch that matters. The conversation delves into essential warm-up techniques that prepare the body for peak poses, such as stretching specific muscle groups and activating key muscles for stability. Using the example of Warrior I, the speaker explains how targeted stretching of the hip flexors and leg activation can make advanced asanas more accessible and safe. A key takeaway is the concept of "pails and rails," a method that combines passive stretching with active muscle engagement to enhance both flexibility and neurological adaptation. This approach, applied to poses like the low lunge and 90-90 position, can significantly improve range of motion and prevent injuries. The episode also highlights the importance of finding the right balance between challenge and safety, using breath as a guide. Listeners are encouraged to integrate these techniques into their practice for a more effective and mindful yoga experience. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - The Mechanics of Stretching in Yoga 03:02 - The Importance of Active Stretching over Passive Stretching 05:33 - Preparing the Body for Warrior I Pose 08:12 - Warming Up: Stretching vs Activating the Core 14:25 - Adapting Yoga Practices for Different Body Types 18:36 - Mindful Stretching: Engaging Muscles and Breath 21:12 - Preventing Hamstring Injuries in Yoga 23:25 - Stretching Hips: Activating Glutes and Hip Flexors 26:06 - Progressively Loading the Low Lunge Stretch 28:29 - Regressive Isometric Contraction: Activating Opposite Muscles 30:05 - Combining Passive and Active Stretching for Improved Mobility 33:30 - Activating Stretches with Pails and Rails Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/ Going Pro Yoga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goingproyoga/ Going Pro Yoga 7-Day Free Trial: https://goingproyoga.com/ Join us in Bali for live trainings: https://www.elementsofpoweryoga.com/advancedtrainings --- About Going Pro Yoga: At Going Pro Yoga, we help yoga teachers become even better by teaching them new skills and giving them the tools they need to make their yoga classes safe, fun, and special for everyone. **Right now you can try Going Pro Yoga FREE for 7-days and sample: All Tools Needed to Master Cueing, Sequencing, and Alignment Video Library of over 75 fully Sequenced Classes, Sequence Chunks, and Flows FIRST EVER Yoga Cueing System with Over 160 poses and Hundreds of Variations Wisdom Talks from over 20,000 Hours of Teaching Experience Anatomy and Injury Prevention as it relates to Yoga. To Learn More, Visit Going Pro Yoga, and ⁠⁠⁠Start your 7-Day Free Trial⁠⁠⁠! For more information about in-person trainings in Bali, ⁠⁠https://www.elementsofpoweryoga.com/advancedtrainings⁠⁠