Seagull pose challenging to the core
Once this variation of pigeon and boat is mastered you’ll flock back for more
This week’s yoga move is a novel seafaring version of a well-known bird-inspired pose.
Our exercise will challenge your core stability, while stretching the outer hip on one side and strengthening the front of the hip on the other.
This playful love child of seated pi- geon and boat is hereby christened seagull pose. 1. Land on your mat with legs outstretched.
2. Supporting yourself from behind with your hands, cross your right ankle over the left thigh, just above the kneecap, to create a figure-four shape.
3. Maintain a long and neutral spine as you bend your outstretched left leg and slide the foot onto the ground, about halfway back to your hips.
4. Scoop up the right shin with your forearms, wrists or palms and hold it close to the chest before returning the left leg to the ground.
5. Cradling the right leg like a baby, lengthen your torso and lean back as you float the left leg up to chest level.
6. Bob and balance here for five breaths before releasing the pose.
7. Repeat on the second side. Seagulls A familiar sight along Toronto’s wa- terfront, seagulls are largish birds with a distinctive wailing call.
They are intelligent, resourceful birds that have learned to thrive alongside humans, shoplifting and snatching food from the unsuspecting.
Certain species of gull have even been documented using pieces of bread as bait to catch goldfish. YuMee Chung is a recovering lawyer who teaches yoga in Toronto. She is on the faculty of a number of yoga teacher training programs and leads international yoga retreats. Learn more about her at padmani.com.