Tight Quads? You Need This Simple and Effective Stretch.

(Photo: fizkes | Getty ) Yoga Journal’s archives series is a curated collection of articles originally published in past issues beginning in 1975. This article about Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose) first appeared in the March-April 1986 issue of Yoga Journal. Although it is a strong stretching pose, Supta Virasana quiets the mind. Like all asanas, Supta Virasana embodies an element of letting go, in the mind as well as in the muscles. One of the unique advantages of yoga asana is that it is a totally fresh and immediate experience. Much of our life is lived through the abstractions of memory and language and within the limiting walls of habit. Asana, on the other hand, is a living experience that allows the practitioner to focus on and become conscious of the moment, beyond conversation, theories, habits, and expectations. The very nonverbal nature of asana gives it a power to reach deep parts of our being and allow us to experience new ways of feeling, being, and acting. Supta Virasana, or any other asana, can do this if practiced with attention to the detail of form and alignment as well as the “letting go” feeling that the stretch allows. One must stretch with the mind as well as with the body. Not only is the breath exhaled as one comes into the pose, but the muscles “exhale” into the stretch, and the mind “exhale” by letting go and just being present with this stretch, this moment. Paradoxically, one of the best ways to enhance this release is to focus the mind. To simply “let go” of the mind’s dominance of consciousness is difficult. But by first creating a focus one gives the mind a point of departure, a point from which it can release. The way to do this in the practice of asana is to create the proper amount of difficulty. That is, the stretch should be difficult enough that it requires the mind to sit up and pay attention, but not so difficult that one unconsciously tightens against the stretch. If too little sensation is created, the mind wanders; if too much sensation is created, the mind runs away from the discomfort. If one wishes to focus and then release the mind, one must create just the right amount of stretch, moving into it gradually while staying aware of all sensation. Soon the mind will quiet, released by the persistent and consistent sensation of the pose. In this focused and released state, one knows the beginnings of deeper peace. Supta Virasana can be practiced as a preparation for pranayama (breathwork); as a preparation for backbending asanas; as a counterpose after a forward bending series; as an aid to digestion after meals; or as a way of relieving the legs after long hours of standing or walking. One of the benefits of the pose is the deep stretch it gives to the quadricep femoris muscle. This muscle lies on the anterior (front) thigh and tends to be strengthened and tightened by many athletic activities. In addition to stretching the quadriceps, the pose stretches the shorter muscles called the iliopsoas group, which, with part of the quadriceps, flex the hip, bringing the femur (thigh bone) toward the chest. The other job of the quadriceps is to extend (straighten) the knee. Thus this pose stretches the muscle at both ends by flexing the knee and moving the hip joint toward extension. Tightness in the quadriceps and hip flexors makes the backward-bending asanas more difficult by keeping the pelvis pulled toward the thigh instead of allowing it to tip backward to create a more comfortable and complete backbend. In addition, tightness in the anterior muscles of the thigh can interfere with the free movement of the pelvis during walking and can eventually affect the rhythmic movement of the hip joints in such a way that the lower back suffers. This difficulty may be exacerbated in athletes whose activities tighten the quadriceps and whose momentum during movement can add extra strain to the lower back. Therefore, Supta Virasana is an excellent pose for runners and others who do repetitive movement that brings the thigh toward the chest with momentum. As it tends to open the abdomen and chest, it is a good preparation for breathing exercises and is also good for stimulating the organs of the abdomen, such as the intestines and liver. It can be used as an antidote for nausea, and, when the back is well propped up (even more than shown in Figure 2), pregnant women may find it helpful in relieving morning sickness. (A note of caution: Pregnant women should avoid prolonged backbending after the fourth month to prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure due to compression of the inferior vena cava). To practice Supta Virasana, kneel on a blanket with the knees about hip-width apart. Gradually sit down between the heels. The comfort of the knees may be enhanced by gently pulling the calf muscles toward the outside of the lower legs just as the buttocks are approaching the blanket. One should not attempt Supta Virasana unless the buttocks reach the blanket. Practice for a while longer on this part of the pose; some students find practicing on their bed helps to prepare the tops of the feet. If the buttocks do not rest easily on the floor, a firm folded blanket may be inserted from behind to support the buttocks and take pressure off the knees and feet. Before attempting to lie back, the student must first learn to sit between the heels in Virasana (Hero Pose). Once this can be accomplished with ease, the student can move into Supta Virasana by first coming down onto the elbows and then gradually lying back (Figure 2). Begin to lie back onto the elbows, keeping the breathing natural. The thighs may be parallel. Later, the knees may be brought closer together. Rest on the elbows as shown in Figure 2. If it is difficult to lie back further, insert a blanket or bolster to prevent too much arch in the lower back. Hold the pose for several long breaths, keeping the breath even, and come up slowly to sit again between the heels. Gradually increase the length of time the pose is held. If resting on the elbows is not too difficult and the alignment of the pose can be maintained, move slowly down to lie flat on the back. Again, a blanket or bolster may be inserted to support the back. If possible, stretch the arms over the head. Make sure that the head is well supported and that the chin is not higher than the forehead. If the chin is higher, put a blanket under the head or under the back and head. When stretching the arms over the head, take care to keep the knees together (or at least to have the thighs no wider than parallel) and put emphasis on stretching the back ribs out toward the fingers. Avoid too much arch in the lower back. Hold for several breaths. More experienced students may hold for an extended period, but be careful to attend to any possible strain in the knees. Come up onto the elbows, and then gradually sit up into Virasana. One way to come out of the pose is to place the hands in front of the knees, curl the toes under, and, with an exhalation, gradually stand up into Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend).