Y.O.G.A.

Utthita Parsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle Pose




Get into the pose:
1. Stand in Tadasana
2. Jump your feet, four feet apart
3. Stretch out arms, parallel to the ground, with palms facing down
4. Turn right foot at 90 degree angle, left foot slightly toward right foot
5. Contract quadriceps
6. Exhale, bend right knee until thigh is parallel with the ground
7. Keep tail bone tucked in
8. With right hand, grab right ankle. Extend left arm directly up
9. Turn head to look up at left hand
10. Hold posture and breathe

Get out of the pose:
1. Inhale to come up
2. Push heels into the ground
3. Switch directions of feet

REPEAT. (on the other side)


Benefits:

1. Strengthens and stretches the legs, knees, and ankles
2. Stretches the groins, spine, waist, chest and lungs, and shoulders
3. Works abdominal organs
4. Gains stamina

Awareness:
While in this asana, not only can I feel my muscles working and stretching, Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
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t it also feels good and helps me to be relaxed and focused. After coming out of this posture, my body feels much more awake.


Sources:
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/749
http://www.yoga.com/ydc/enlighten/enlighten_document.asp?ID=353&section=9&cat=0