Question

QUESTION 16 

What can a ball-and-socket joint do that a hinge joint can not do? 

QUESTION 17 

Why is it helpful to sit on a cushion or folded blanket in Easy Pose (cross-legged on the floor) 

Answer 1

1)Ball and socket joint – the rounded head of one bone sits within the cup of another, such as the hip joint or shoulder joint. Movement in all directions is allowed.

Hinge joint – the two bones open and close in one direction only (along one plane) like a door, such as the knee and elbow joints , here the movement is restricted.

2) Easy pose, with feet resting underneath the knees or calves (in the manner that children commonly learn to sit “Indian style” on the floor). If this creates tension in your hips, it may feel better to let your legs rest a bit further away from your body instead of tucking them in close to your groin.

In any cross-legged position, it’s recommended to elevate the hips over the knees, which can be facilitated by sitting on the front edge of a cushion, a folded blanket, a bolster or other prop.

This helps to tip the pelvis slightly forward, allowing the hip flexors to relax. It also prevents a lot of tingly legs and feet, since gravity and blood circulation are working together when the legs are sloped downward.

Feel free to add additional padding underneath the ankles, knees or thighs as you see fit.