What do you all think of the Yoga Plow?

[Aaron Griffin]

This is apparently a questionable pose. I'm wondering how gymnasts feel about this.

[Cole Dano]

Questionable!!!

Have the safety police gotten that out of control?

Plow is an excellent pose, for gymnasts in particular! Great stretch for the upper back and shoulders, among other benefits.

[Aaron Griffin]

Questionable!!!

Have the safety police gotten that out of control?

Yes. I generally see people warning of lower-back issues/damage. These are likely the same people who warn of issues when doing forward bends, though

[Blairbob]

If you cannot hold a basket position, that kip is gonna be tough besides stuff like peach, double back pike, jam.

Coach Sommer has often stated, the world is a dynamic world.

[Cole Dano]

Questionable!!!

Have the safety police gotten that out of control?

Yes. I generally see people warning of lower-back issues/damage. These are likely the same people who warn of issues when doing forward bends, though

I think people get confused on the distinction between a general recommendation and a specific one.

In this case a general recommendation is - plow is good for everyone.

A specific is - if you have problems with your cervical spine plow is potentially bad for you. Then we would need to do some corrective work and adapt the position for the specific need or even eliminate it in a worst case scenario.

In the same way if a healthy 20 year old comes to class, plow is no problem. If a sedentary older lady comes we would have to create a progression that would get her there in perhaps 6 months time.

More often than not when this way of thinking makes sense most conflicts regarding safe movements and postures also can be resolved

[Aaron Griffin]

If you cannot hold a basket position, that kip is gonna be tough besides stuff like peach, double back pike, jam.

I'm not a gymnast. Can you explain these moves?

[Blairbob]

All these positions and skills use a variant of the yoga plow, which is similar to an inverted pike. Ya know forward flexion at hips, touch your toes.

The more you can compress your pike (get your chest on your shins), the better it is for these skills.

Pike front flip, Double pike front/back flip.

Peach and Basket use that pike position as does jam which is a high bar skill VyVj3Cov_6g

[Richard Hamilton]

I like this position and its helping me out no end! Its a must do exercise for me

[Archie Moses]

I find the plow position to be a great way to stretch the hamstrings as well as the upper back and shoulders as mentioned above. If you flex your feet (pull toes toward you) while your legs are over your head, and your upper body is tucked in like that, it is a wicked hamstring stretch. It has helped me imporove my forward folds, standing and seated.