I always enjoy watching videos of sprinting Cheetahs. They are so powerful, yet slender and graceful as their body undulates with ease for maximum efficiency and speed.
Notice when the spine is in extension the base of the tail points upwards, not downwards. The area between the base of the tail and the rear legs appears spacious.
For us humans, the equivalent of the base of the tail is the coccyx (tailbone). You can try this easy somatic experiment.
Start by tucking your tailbone in, keep it like this. Then take a short walk or maybe run.
Observe the sensations in your body. How your spine moves, whether your hips fully extend. Notice the length of your stride.
Now let’s change. This time untuck your coccyx and try to relax the area. Take a walk and observe.
Did you notice any differences? Repeat if you’re not sure.
When we have no restrictions and we can untuck the coccyx, walking, running and sprinting are likely to feel more expansive as our full potentials in spinal and hip extensions become more available.
You can try something similar in yoga postures involving spinal or hip extensions (practice with gentleness and avoid going to the end range of your flexibility).
Perhaps an image of a sprinting Cheetah will come to your mind…
Most importantly enjoy your practice!
