This yoga pose is called Utthita (extended) Parsva (side) Konasana (angle pose). It’s a warrior style pose that will create lots of space between your side ribs. At the same time you’ll stimulate your abdominal organs, strengthen your legs and stretch your shoulders, groin and chest. That just about covers everything!
To practice Utthita Parsvakonasana, stand with your legs wide apart and your feet firmly grounded. Open your arms and fingers wide. Turn one foot outward toward the front, and turn the other foot inward slightly. Bend your front knee and press your inner legs apart. Lower your front arm and bend your elbow so your forearm rests on your front thigh. Reach your other arm up and over your head like the long neck of a giraffe.
Look up toward the sky and balance or just look straight ahead. Challenge yourself by reaching your bent arm to the ground. Keep breathing. Stay in the pose for 3 or more long deep breaths, then return to the original position and switch your feet so you’re facing toward the back. Move into Utthita Parsvakonasana on the second side and spend the same amount of breaths here.
When you’re finished, notice the blood flowing through your body. Check in with your shoulders, chest, tummy, sides, hips and knees. How do feel?
Images: Coloring page from Yoga Teddy Bear’s Big Little Coloring Book of 108 Yoga Poses colored by Miss Michele Palumbo, Bay Shore, NY. Enter our coloring contest to win prizes. Pictures of Yoga Teddy Bear creator K. Mae Copham by Robert Oakley in Vail, CO.
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