Side angle pose
Section: Standing
Parsvakonasana
- Stand with the feet wider than shoulder width apart and keep the legs straight.
- Turn the right foot out to the right 90 degrees and left foot in 45 to 60 degrees.
- Roll the right thigh outward, so that the center of the right knee cap is in line with the center of the right ankle.
- Reach the arms actively out to the sides of the body at shoulder height.
- Bend the right knee over the right ankle, so that the shin is perpendicular to the floor. Work towards having the thigh parallel to the floor.
- Bend from the hip joint and extend the torso to the right directly over the right leg.
- Rotate the torso to the left and keep the two sides of the waist equally long.
- Rest the right hand on the shin, ankle or the floor.
- Stretch the left arm towards the ceiling.
- Keep the head in a neutral position or turn it to gaze at the left arm.
- Stay in this pose for up to 1 minute.
- To release, press the back heel into the floor and reach the torso up to the centre then straighten the bent knee.
- Reverse the feet and repeat for the same duration to the left.
- Practice up to 5 rounds.
- Inhale while raising the arms and stretching forward.
- Exhale while bending the front knee and lowering the body over the leg.
- Breath naturally while holding the pose.
- Inhale while raising the body to the vertical position and straightening the leg.
- Exhale while releasing the arms to beside the body.
- The stretch in the sides of the waist.
- Synchronizing the movement with the breath.
- Manipura chakra.
- Diarrhea.
- High or low blood pressure.
- Strengthens and stretches the legs, knees and ankles.
- Increases flexibility in the groins, spine, waist, chest and lungs and shoulders.
- Stimulates abdominal organs.
- Increases stamina.
- If feeling unstable in this position, rest the forearm on the top of the bent-knee thigh.
- Extend the raised arm over the head, alongside the ear until it’s parallel with the floor.
- If comfortable in the neck, gaze at the hand.
