Cossack squat

[heleng]

I received the first three tapes of thw zdorovye wellness system a while back and started following the tapes along. When I got to the cossack squat I was unable to do it and since it is a part a a number of the later exercises i eventually gave up on the tapes all together.

I would like to start doing them again but wanted to know if there is some muscle group I can focus on stretching first that might make it easier to get to the cossack squat. I am able to do it if i'm wearing 3" heels so I thought it might be that I need to stretch my calves but is there more to it than that?

Thanks
Helen

[Robert V]

Great question, Helen!

Don't be alarmed, for we all were there!

When I first recieved the very same program you are speaking of, I was so frustrated that I put it away for months.

In it, Mr. Sonnon does make it clear that these are not movements that you just fall into, but develop into. I didn't get that initially.

I wouldn't use the heels.

But tell us what you can do.

Can you do the flat-footed squat?

Can you do the shinbox? And how straight do you sit in it. Both cheeks flush on the floor?

Can you do a shin squat?

I don't know your body, but my guess is that the problem isn't flexibility...but relaxation and fear reactivity.

In any case, remember that as a child you were probably able to do this skill very easily, whether you tried it or not.

Think about how your movement has decrease in that area and how long it's been since you've explored that range of motion.

Now, with that time frame in consideration, remember in recovering that range of motion the most important mantra for you will be incremental progress, Helen!

It takes time.

Take your time. Feel what's going on when you attempt the movement. Where do you feel it? What emotions come up? How is your alignment...breathing?

Please don't hesitate to come back to ask anything. There are people here that can really help. Keep us informed.

Good Luck!

Robert