Today, it's time to tell the truth about recovery. I've seen so many misconceptions about what it takes to make lasting change. The reality is, this shit is hard. So let's talk about it.

“Exhale, chatarunga,” might just be the most scrutinized cue in yoga. The transition from high to mid plank, on the way to updog and downdog, is widely considered by some to be unnecessary, dangerous and over-used. But what if they’re wrong?

Let’s talk about it.

Is chatarunga really that bad? Is it dangerous? Should we still use it as a transition? And does it have a place with athletes? 

In this week’s blog we break it down and look at:

1. What makes it dangerous
2. Is it wrong to use it with athletes
3. Why most people don’t teach it
4. And the four actions that will keep your shoulders safe while moving through chatarunga

Learn how to practice the transition safely and to discern when it’s useful and when it’s not. Thanks so much for reading. Check out our options to practice and join us on the mat soon!

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Recover better:

• FREE 7 Day Yoga Challenge
• Monthly Yoga Series: Yoga for Lower Back Pain or Yoga for Hips and Shoulders

Click to watch: FREE 7 Day Yoga Challenge

Somehow we all know that recovery is crucial, and yet we still struggle to get it done. We tell ourselves that we’ll do it next time or that other things are more pressing. And so it rarely makes an appearance in our lives. But why?

Because most of us are set up to fail. We do the bare minimum and expect greatness. Without looking at the mental barriers holding us back we do ourselves a serious disservice. Today, we talk about the 4 most common barriers I hear about on a day-to-day basis when it comes to recovery (and more specifically, when it comes to practicing yoga). 

1. “I’m not good at yoga.” How many times have I heard this one? Of course you suck. You’ve never done it before (insert face palm). Gaining a proficiency in anything takes consistency. Let go of this idea that you’re going to pop into a handstand and wrap your leg around your head. If you can let go of the ego and be a beginner...

On paper I was a lock. Former pro athlete, full time yoga teacher. How hard could it be? 

“Hey guys, I’m Annette. I used to play soccer and now I teach yoga. I’m just going to take you through an hour of stretching and breathing and then you’ll be on your way. Let’s start in Child’s pose.”  

I then watched these long, athletic, collegiate female bodies struggle onto the floor. Ankles wrapped in tape, and discomfort readily on display. A hand went up. “I tore my ACL twice and had reconstructive surgery on the other knee.” Um ok. “And my ankle won’t bend like that,” another said. “OK. Ok. Change of plans. Everyone just lay down,” I said. And on it went. 

Every scripted posture and flow went up in smoke. The class was awful because I made the one fatal mistake that took me years to truly figure out. Teaching athletes is NOT the same as teaching in a studio. I repeat. These are...