Give Yourself Permission to Say No

Hello Yogi friends.

I read something this morning about High Lunge pose in yoga, and it got me thinking about somatic movement, sensing our body and how differently we experience our bodies on the inside - and how seldom we notice and connect to our body outside of a yoga class.

High Lunge (Astha Chandrasana in Sanskrit) is often cued in yoga classes with an instruction to “straighten your back leg,” and on the surface it may seem simple.

But for some people, trying it can cause the hips to tilt, the lower back to arch and the pose often doesn’t look - or feel - like the traditional alignment in yoga books.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Our anatomy, muscle patterns, postural habits and fascia (the connective tissue that links and supports our muscles) shape how we move. For those with anterior pelvic tilt (lordosis), forcing the “ideal” alignment can create tension or discomfort in the lower back. Adjustments like “don’t stick out your tailbone,” can feel tricky.

At Amandari, we take a somatic approach through SomaFlow™ Vinyasa. Somatic movement is about moving with awareness, sensing your body from the inside out, and letting your nervous system guide how you move. It’s yoga that moves slowly, mindfully and with curiosity. An invitation to connect with your body in ways we rarely do in our daily lives.

Rather than trying to fit everyone into one template, we listen to our body’s innate intelligence and let it guide how we shape each pose. That might mean exploring subtle shifts that feel right for you.

SomaFlow™ Vinyasa cultivates awareness, reduces tension, works with fascia and helps you discover alignment that truly suits your body. It’s yoga that honours individuality and encourages you to find your own flow - because yoga is not “one-size-fits-all.”

If you're keen to learn more, please drop us a message.