Utthita Parsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle

Contraindication & Cautions

• Low or high blood pressure (if unmedicated)

• Insomnia

• Currently experiencing headache

• Neck issues - Look straight ahead or down instead of up.

HINTS & TIPS

• If you can't easily get your fingers to the floor. Place your forearm on your thigh or use a block.

• If you have difficulty keeping your back foot grounded, place it against a wall & push the wall away, this gives you the energy that is required in your back leg.

• If you notice your torso dropping forward towards the floor - think about rolling your top shoulder back, lengthen your tailbone and encourage your hips to move forward.

"Extended Side Angle Pose is a truly beautiful posture.  Both challenging and therapeutic, this pose helps stretch and strengthen muscles you most likely do not even think about on a regular basis, and adds some much needed balance to most peoples asana practice"

                                                   Ali Washington

Benefits of Extended Side Angle

ENERGY - MOOD - EMOTIONS

• Increases stamina and endurance

PHYSICAL

• Strengthens thighs, hips, knees and ankles

• Stretches groins, spine, waist, chest, lungs and shoulders

• Stimulates and massages the abdominal organs.

CAN BE HELPFUL FOR

• Conspitation

• Infertility

• Lower back pain

• Osteoporosis

• Sciatica

• Menstrual discomfort

Level  1 Pose

This pose requires and builds strength throughout the entire body and helps to prepare the body for deeper leg and groin stretches