ROPE WALL

Rope Wall - Basic pose

One of the reasons yoga feels so good is because it is a balanced physical practice designed to open the spine in every direction. In a regular class, we start with Downward Facing Dog (fig 1). From here you have the option to step up the wall to increase traction and the option to twist with traction (fig 3). Everything is optional and beginners are encouraged to repeat the basic downward dog for several weeks before moving on to stepping up the wall and twisting. We generally step onto the mat for the remainder of the class and only use the ropes to assist where necessary. 

Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

More about yoga

This bending the spine in every direction is what sets yoga apart from your average sport. Most sports are a function of repetitive movements that can often cause repetitive stress on the body or tightness in certain areas because of the posture adopted during that specific sport. The spine is your vitality; it houses all the nerves that keep your muscles and organs functioning optimally. It is also the home of the central channel or “Shushumna Nadi” in the yoga tradition, which is where we hold our “Prana” or life force.

For the spine and joints, gravity is not always our friend. It causes wear and tear over time, loss of height, osteoarthritis in the joints and loss of mobility. Imagine what the possibilities would be if we could open the spine in every direction without compression, in other words in a state of traction.

What is a Yoga Wall?

The Yoga Wall has been around for decades, originally designed by BKS Iyengar in the form of ropes attached to wall hooks to assist students in various yoga asana (poses). The Great Yoga Wall ™ is a newer version of this wall with a system of adjustable straps and more comfortable pelvic swings to accommodate every height and body type. The new system was designed by Kedric Wolfe in the early 80’s after he injured his foot on one of the older system’s wall hooks. It occurred to him that there must be a “better way” to use the wall with more ease and versatility. The Yoga Wall can help a healthy Yoga practitioner find a new way to access different muscle groups in a pose that they were unable to do without the ropes and it can be used therapeutically to help individuals heal from injuries, especially from arthritis and degenerative disc disease.

Other poses using the ropes and wall to assist
There are hundreds of poses that can be practiced with the help of the Yoga Wall system. At Yoik studio Ellie teaches special sequencing, which incorporates flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation all while the spine is in traction. The beauty of the system is that the traction begins at the low back compared to inversion tables which first traction the ankles, knees and hip before reaching the spine. The Yoga Wall uses positioning, action, breath and awareness to open the spine and joints.

Hand to big toe pose. In a normal class without props this can be practiced in the middle of the room, where you are expected to reach your big toe! Here we are using the wall to help us balance and the rope to reach the big toe

Janu Sir Sasana

Paravitra Trikonasana (Reverse Triangle Pose)

Holding the strap makes the pose more stable, pulling on the strap enables the student to turn further

Padangusthasana 3 (Hand to Big Toe Pose)

 Other poses that are practiced on the wall include standing postures, forward bends, back bends, twists and inversions such as headstand, which can be done without any weight on the head, see fig 4

Fig 4. Students can build up to this pose once confident with Fig 5 (below)

The Yoga Wall system can enable you to reach deeper into each pose and experience improved alignment. It is a remarkable tool that can strengthened both your practice and motivation. It is unlike anything you have experienced.

Restorative rope wall poses

Usually this pose is done with a bolster under the hips. Using the sling allows the student to lift the chest more effectively and enjoy the sense of cradling at the pelvis, as well as containing the legs which have a tendency to roll out.

Viparita Karani (Legs up the wall)

Fig 5. Sarvangasana Variation (shoulder stand variation)

Rope wall - Advanced 

Don't be put off by the pictures! This is not what we do in a regular rope class, these pictures were taken in a photo shoot for teachers and are advanced poses to show the versatility of the rope wall.

Ellie assisting a students in an advanced back bend

Ellie assisting a students with 'Superman'

 Inverted Paschimotanasana

 Inverted Tadasana (Moutain Pose)

 Inverted Paschimotanasa

Intensley stretches the back body

 Inverted Ustrasana/Setu Bandha

Backward Bending with traction

 Inverted Baddha Konasana

 'Superman'

 Sirsasana Variation (Headstand Variation)

Here there is no strain on the neck, hence the student can get all the benefit of headstand without the neck being vulnerable.
© Photos taken by Haley Jane Photography