Extended Side Angle: (Sanskrit: Utthita Parsvakonasana)

Benefits: Look at all the things this one pose can do!

·       Strengthens the ankles, calves, knees, and thighs,

·       Opens the hips and groin,

·       Increases lung capacity,

·       Eases symptoms of arthritis,

·       Lengthens the spine,

·       Improves digestion,

·       Opens the side body,

·       Promotes stability as it requires balance.

How to practice:

All standing poses begin in Mountain Pose.

From Mountain pose, facing a long edge of your mat, step your feet wide with your feet parallel to each other and the short edge of your mat. Inhale arms straight out to your sides. This is 5-pointed star pose. From the hip socket, rotate the right leg and foot out 90 degrees or to your range of motion. Bend the right knee, aiming to bring the knee over the ankle. If the bend in your knee is less, that is fine. Turn your gaze over your right fingertips. Keep the back foot grounded to prevent the foot rolling in or out. Bend your right elbow and bring either your right hand or your right forearm onto your right leg, just above your knee. Bring your left arm up to the ceiling. An option here is to lean the torso and top arm to the right.

To come out, reverse the movement and practice on the other side.

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