How Do You Decide If Feet Should Be Together or Hip Distance Apart in Yoga Poses?
So far we've covered so many details on feet. Today we zoom out and talk about our stance in asana.
Many yoga asana traditions have specific instructions on whether your feet should be together or apart, but each time you come to the mat you get to decide for yourself.
You may ask, "But how do I decide?" That's easy, if feet together leads you to a feeling that energy is congested then try hip distance apart and see if there is a feeling of more space. In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, sutra 2.46 says: sthira-sukham asanam. This is most commonly translated, “posture (asana) [should be] stable (sthira) and comfortable (sukha),” but is more literally translated as “resolutely abide in a good space.” (1)
To restate, say "yes" to changes that promote stability and ease in your poses.
My personal favorite poses to buck the traditions and go hip distance apart with the feet are Tadasana (Mountain), Utkatasana (Chair), Parsvottanasana (Pyramid) & Virabhadrasana I & II (Warrior 1 & 3). Give hip distance stance apart a try as you practice asana over the next two weeks and see if a stance shift may benefit you!
Hip Distance Apart vs. Traditional Stance
Note: While my model in the pictures above, Alex, has the world's narrowest hips I think even a hip distance stance can benefit him. However, to make a generalization, fuller hips may be the ones that really rejoice with the spaciousness provided by feet hip distance.
P.S. In my personal practice, I also prefer "heel of the front foot to heel of the back foot alignment" in Triangle, Side Angle and similar poses instead of "heel of the front foot to middle of the arch of the back foot" alignment which is more traditionally taught.
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Photography Credit: Wild Thing Photography
Model: Alex @alexreyesyoga
References: 1. https://yogainternational.com/article/view/sthira-and-sukha-steadiness-and-ease