Ask most yoga students what they’d like to focus on during class and they’ll likely say hip openers. More specifically, they usually request the forward-folding version of One-Legged King Pigeon Pose that’s commonly known as Pigeon Pose.
Pigeon Pose certainly has its benefits. The intense stretch can offer a satisfying—some might say grimace-inducing—experience. The forward-folding nature of the pose also creates an opportunity for turning inward and downregulating thoughts and emotions.
But for some, those benefits come at a price.
What Can Make Pigeon Pose (Too) Intense?
The intensity that some of us experience during Pigeon Pose is a reminder that the popularity of a pose doesn’t make it appropriate for all bodies. In fact, the commonly accepted alignment for the pose requires a range of motion in the front hip that’s unrealistic for many of us.
If you experience difficulty in Pigeon it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to try harder or breathe into it. It’s not you that’s the problem. It’s the pose.
The first issue is the shape of Pigeon Pose. One commonly taught version of the pose is…
