Which instruction describes the head position in Gorilla Pose?

Which instruction describes the head position in Gorilla Pose?

• A. Look straight ahead.
• B. Gaze toward the top of your mat.
• C. Gaze towards the top of your mat.
• D. Allow head and neck to hang heavy.

Answer: (D)

In Gorilla Pose, the focus is on freeing the neck and letting gravity do the work of lengthening the spine as you fold forward. Allowing the head and neck to hang heavy releases tension in the cervical area, helps keep the shoulders relaxed away from the ears, and lets you access a deeper stretch through the back and hamstrings without straining the neck. Looking straight ahead or toward the mat would keep the neck in a more lifted, tense position, which can hinder relaxation and make the fold feel tighter. Letting the head hang is the safest, most effective cue for this pose, and you can soften the knees or adjust your stance if you need to ease the stretch while maintaining that head position.

In Gorilla Pose, the focus is on freeing the neck and letting gravity do the work of lengthening the spine as you fold forward. Allowing the head and neck to hang heavy releases tension in the cervical area, helps keep the shoulders relaxed away from the ears, and lets you access a deeper stretch through the back and hamstrings without straining the neck. Looking straight ahead or toward the mat would keep the neck in a more lifted, tense position, which can hinder relaxation and make the fold feel tighter. Letting the head hang is the safest, most effective cue for this pose, and you can soften the knees or adjust your stance if you need to ease the stretch while maintaining that head position.