Let’s plow the field….or at least the front lawn…or yoga mat. Plow pose releases back and neck tension like no other, as long as you have warmed up for it! That’s why it usually comes at the end of class. Even so, bringing the feet all the way to the ground is not always the best idea. Every day is different: some days I bring feet down all the way:
…other days I have them hovering as in the first photo above (you can also place the feet against the wall so that they’re not just floating unsupported). Then there are days when a chair is in order (Thanks, Iyengar):
By the way, I also learned in Iyengar yoga classes to use folded blankets under the shoulders. I actually prefer that and feel that it is more appropriate for most people so that they can avoid crunching the neck…but sometimes a quick plow without the blankets works, too.
Tip: breathe. Seriously, it’s not always easy to do that in this pose and if it feels impossible to inhale, consider backing off by doing the version with the chair or supporting the shoulders with blankets as in the link above.