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Restorative yoga poses and hatha yoga stretches

English name: Side Angle Pose
Sanskrit name: UtthitaParsvakonasana

Difficulty level: Basic

Technique

1. Stand with the feet about 1.5 meters apart.
2. Turn the right foot 90 degrees to the right and let the left foot trun slightly in towards the right.
3. Bend the right leg until the thigh is parallel to the floor, with the knee directly over the ankle. Keep the left leg straight and extended from the hip.
4. Place the right palm on the ground outside the right leg so the right armpit comes over the right thigh.
5. Extend and twist the back so that the left shoulder is above the right shoulder. Extend the left arm over the head close to the left ear.
6. Hold the pose for 1 minute or as long as possible.
7. Repeat the pose on the left side.

Breathing

• Breathe slow and deeply in the final position.

Benefits

• Anatomical - Strengthens the thigh, knees and ankles. Strengthens the back muscles, opens and increases flexibility of the hips.

Notes

• Keep the straight leg extended with the foot fully pressing into the ground. Lower the hips the increase the stretch and hip opening.