Yoga for Fertility—Brenda Strong's Top Poses

Why Brenda Likes the Pose

"Pigeon pose is one of my personal favorites, because I have tight hips. If your hips are very tight, see Reclining Half Pigeon as an alternate pose. Double Pigeon helps to release stored emotional trauma in the periformis muscle (a muscle in the gluteal region of the lower limb), which guards the gateway of energy in the hips. The hips are the sister hinge to the jaw and when released, tension, emotional pain, and chronic holding get released, allowing increased blood flow, and energy to the reproductive organs in the pelvis. Double pigeon is a seated pose where one shin stacks perfectly on top of the other, and creates an equilateral triangle from the shins to the pubic bone."

How to Do the Pose

Feet are flexed, spine long, and pubic bone threads back so that the hips can release up and over the bent legs. Breathing is key in honoring your body's edges of resistance and allowing it to open when it's ready. You can extend the arms straight in front, with your elbows on the floor and create prayer pose with your hands and place your thumbs at your third eye (a mystical concept symbolizing enlightenment that's located just above the eyebrows), forefingers on the forehead, or extend the fingers on the ground and walk the hands out until your arms are straight. Breathe until the discomfort softens, and then change sides, alternating opposite foot on top of knee. Shins parallel.

Note: There tends to be unexpressed emotion in the hips. If you are in Double Pigeon you can sit on a bolster and work at simply lifting up through your heart and gently leaning forward.