Yoga Kurunta ✦ Yoga Practice with The Ropes

✦ The Sanskrit word kurunta means a wooden doll, a marionette or a puppet, which can be moved by strings attached to its head and limbs. In a similar way, in yoga kurunta one allows to be moved by the use of wall ropes attached to her/his body. Such practice creates an opportunity to explore a broader range of motion for all the joints of the body, it gives more dynamism to the practice, releases from stiffness and takes away the excess of weight off the spine bringing lift & lightness into the body. Yet it still requires a lot of strength of the limbs and the core to be able to hold the poses for some time.

✦ In this video I am presenting only some part of the innumerable ways one can use the ropes in her/his yoga practice. Most of the tractions are especially helpful for the practice of Pūrva Pratana Sthiti (Backward Extensions) or poses which usually are less accessible due to fear, stiffness of shoulders and the whole shoulders girdle, lower back weakness or cervical spine injuries.

✦ While most of the actions shown in this video are very safe & therapeutic, one might find some as strenuous. The sequence is built in a way to gradually progress from preparatory actions to more advanced asanas to finish with restorative poses allowing the body to cool down and settle.

✦ I have created this demonstration with the intention to inspire you for your own yoga kurunta practice. Please note that THE DIRECT GUIDANCE OF AN EXPERIENCED IYENGAR YOGA TEACHER IS IRREPLACEABLE. If you have any questions or doubts regarding the presented practice and before you try on your own, consult with an experienced yoga teacher and if required also with your doctor.

Enjoy your yoga kurunta practice!

✦ Technical information for the setup:
✧ 2 long cotton yoga ropes of 12 mm ∅ and ca 122 cm length
✧ 1 short cotton yoga rope of 12 mm ∅ and ca 92 cm length
✧ 2 metal hooks o handles safely installed 210 cm * above the floor & with the distance of 45 cm between the centre of the hooks.
I am 172 cm tall so for taller people the hooks might have to be installed higher

Music: Matthew Hallsal, The Sun in September (from The Album: Fletcher Moss Park)

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