Nerves

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Nerves which may undergo neural tension:

• Tibial nerve (back leg) 

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Notes 

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A common mistake in this posture is in having the hips externally rotated (either standing or lifted leg). A helpful cue is "dorsiflex your foot and point your big toe to the ground instead of the side". This could be due to lack of activation of the hip internal rotators e.g. medial adductor magnus of the lifted leg. 

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Some people may also find it challenging to keep the pelvis level as it requires control of the standing leg abductors, engaged in a precise lengthened position i.e. gluteus medius and minimus. If it is lengthened with no engagement, the contralateral hip will drop; if it is engaged with no length, the contralateral hip will be lifted too high.

 

Another common mistake in this posture is that the back leg and/or the torso is not parallel to the ground. This could be due to lack of hip extensor or spinal extensor strength, or reduced body awareness. 

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Precautions & Contraindications

 

Avoid or modify if any of the following are present:

 

• Hip, knee or ankle injuries

• Shoulder injuries: avoid raising arms overhead. Instead, maintain hands on hips or in prayer position in front of the chest

• Back injuries 

• Cervical injuries

• Low blood pressure

• High blood pressure: avoid raising arms overhead. Instead, maintain hands on hips or in prayer position in front of the chest

• Cardiac conditions

• Pregnancy

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