What is a common misalignment in Ardha Chaturanga Dandasana (Plank Pose)?

In Ardha Chaturanga Dandasana, also known as Plank Pose, a common misalignment occurs when the elbows bend. This can lead to a lack of stability in the upper body and can increase the risk of strain in the shoulders and lower back. For optimal alignment, the elbows should remain straight and strong, supporting the weight of the body effectively through the arms while maintaining a straight line from head to heels.

An important aspect of maintaining proper form in this pose is ensuring that the body engages core muscles to keep the spine aligned. When the elbows bend, it typically indicates a lack of engagement and strength in the muscles required to hold the position, which can lead to compensatory patterns in the body.

In contrast, though other misalignments can occur in the pose, they typically arise from different setup issues or body awareness, such as the head tilting forward or the hips dropping; these, while certainly important to correct, do not center around the immediate joint integrity and strength that is critical to the elbows in this specific asana.