Parvatasana Correction Technique

-         Avoid Hallux abducto valgus

It is also called as Hallux Valgus in short term. This may usually leads to Bunion. Mechanically it is the dislocation of big toe from normal alignment with the weight habits. If the weight is unequal throughout the foot, the big toe being the source of propulsion of the whole body may prone for many changes. The asana practice gives the way to use the body efficiently. As the ancient practice, it does not have side effects if practice with teacher. Because the asana also starts from physical body, this body has to be understood properly before entering asana session.

Annamaya kosha/ Anatomy: The movement required for dorsiflexion is 40⁰ from 1^st toe joints. The tarso-meta-tarsal joint can move 20⁰-30⁰. The rest is by plantar flexion of Meta-tarsal at sesmoid bones. But as per the demand the sesmoid bones move apart and allow the muscle to work directly on 1^st phalanx. This directs the muscle work in a new direction that causes whole toe to move outwards called Hallux Valgus (toe abduction). The force between Flexor Hallucis Longus and Extensor Hallucis longus should be equal. The forces between Adductor Hallucis and Abductor Hallucis also should be equal. These all are crossed at sesmoid bones (smallest bones between tarso-meta-tarsal and phalanx) which acts as fulcrum (joint).

Manomaya & Vijnanamaya Kosha/ Mind & Knowledge: The unequal force of weight happens usually in arthritis and other genetic disorders. But in daily life and Yoga asana practice, it is totally based on the demand from the mind, loss of awareness. This does not make difference with people using high heel shoe. Hence Yoga practitioner must be aware of whole foot in Parivritta Trikonasana (Twisted triangle pose), Garudasana (Eagle pose), Vrikshasan (Tree pose), Parvatasana (Mountain pose), etc., Hence listen to the body and the ground reaction forces. Understand the need of practice instead of comparisons. Drishti helps the student to focus on self and observation time between the asanas will help to gain knowledge about the changes of the body. These learning tools are available in Yoga readily and the implementation should go hand in hand than theoretical knowledge. Yoga teacher training courses should have such technicality.

Here we discuss a basic asana like “Parvatasana” as an example;

The pressure on the whole foot should be sheared from big toe to other toes. The focus of student must be through the lateral or outer border of the foot and the rest will be automatic. This is how the pressure should be understood than just pressing the outer border by lifting big toe.