I can't get my legs straight!!

Mechie started this discussion · 5/16/2011

Ok...I can't seem to get my leg straight when I'm doing a Boomerang pose (or when I'm trying to Fan my legs...like from right to left). It's like whenever I lift my legs off the ground, my legs refuse to be straight!! I know this has to do with strength...but which part?? Is it my core or my legs? Or is it because I'm not flexible enough? What can I do to "fix" this?? Argh!! ~>_<~

6 replies

Cinara · 5/16/2011
It could be either your core, your quads or your flex, but it's probably a bit of all three. The best way to figure it out is to try to hold your leg up like in a boomerang pose and see what hurts first. 😀 For me, it was my quads cramping. The reason it could be strength or flexibility is because if you're close to the edge of your flexibility range your muscles will have greater resistance, and you'll need more strength to maintain the pose. You can either make your muscles (in this case hamstrings and thigh adductors) less resistant by improving flex or make the opposing muscles (quads, core) stronger to fight the resistance. I'd do both. One exercise I used was to stand with one foot on a chair, and leg outstretched. Then try to lift your leg off the chair, keeping your leg straight. You'll probably need to hold onto something to balance, and you need to make sure you have good posture and aren't dipping your chest down. If it's too difficult, put your leg on something lower than the chair. This is really tough! At the same time, keep stretching your hamstrings and adductors. I had the same problem for a long time, and I'm still working on it. I've gone from just below horizontal to just above horizontal.
chemgoddess1 · 5/16/2011
Also on this your toes should be pointed out to the side, not straight up.
Mechie · 5/16/2011
Thanks girls~~ I will try those advice tonight...^_^ I HOPE I'll get it right soon!!
dustbunny · 5/16/2011
Another variation on the same excersice is to sit on the ground, back against your pole, legs straddled in a V. While keeping both legs straight, try to lift one heel off the ground and hold a few seconds. It's hard, don't worry if you can't do it right away. Once you can do one at a time, try both legs! Worked for me, my boomerang/fan legs, have improved immensly!
amy · 5/16/2011
you have to curl your tailbone under and scoop your belly. sit on the floor in a straddle. straight back. try to lift your legs. super tough. now, lean back, round your back, scoop your belly. super easy to lift your legs! same idea. use abs and hamstrings, NOT QUADS, to lift your legs in a boomerang. basic boomerang is with legs parallel to the floor. in my terminology, an advanced boomerang is with toes pointing towards your shoulders-- and for that one, you MUST understand that rounded back/hamstring engagement to get your legs up!
Mechie · 5/16/2011
@ dustbunny - Working on my lifting up my V legs tonight...lol @ amy - Very good point!! I still have a hard time lifting up my legs when they are straight, but it's definitely easier when my I curl my tailbone!! Thanks for all the tips!! ^_^ I'm looking forward to working on my boomerang now!! WooHoo~~