Bikram Sit-Up: a Compression or a Stretch?

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Bikram Sit-Up Question

• Lisette asks: Touching the forehead to the knees during the sit-up seems more like a compression than a stretch. From my understanding, the sit-up starts as a stretch (with the arms over the head, the feet flexed and an inhale) and ends as a compression (with the elbows to the floor and the forehead to the knees). But the instructions in the dialogue (and most of the images I’ve seen) make the sit-up seem like strictly a compression. Which one is it?
• Answer: Great question Lisette! The answer is both. The sit-up is meant to strengthen and tighten the abdomen while simultaneously increasing the flexibility of the spine. As you sit up, you compress the front side of your body. Then, as you double jerk and exhale, you relax the muscles to increase compression in the abdomen and to stretch the spine. 

Got yoga questions about this or any other posture in the Bikram Yoga series? Let us know by leaving a comment below!