Utthita Parsvakonasana - Extended Side Angle

Contraindication & Cautions
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Low or high blood pressure (if unmedicated)
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Insomnia
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Currently experiencing headache
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Neck issues - Look straight ahead or down instead of up.
HINTS & TIPS
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If you can't easily get your fingers to the floor. Place your forearm on your thigh or use a block.
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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.
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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
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Increases stamina and endurance
PHYSICAL
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Strengthens thighs, hips, knees and ankles
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Stretches groins, spine, waist, chest, lungs and shoulders
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Stimulates and massages the abdominal organs.
CAN BE HELPFUL FOR
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Conspitation
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Infertility
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Lower back pain
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Osteoporosis
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Sciatica
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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
