Extended Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana) – Learn How To Practice This Asana In 3 Easy Steps

EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE POSE

Sanskrit Name – Utthita Parsvakonasana

Sanskrit Name Meaning – Utthita – Extended, Parsva – Side, Kona – Angle, Asana - Pose

Type of Asana – Standing Yoga Pose

Target Areas – Core, Back, Arms and Legs

WHAT IS EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE POSE (UTTHITA PARSVAKONASANA)?

Extended Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana) is an excellent standing pose that lengthens your side body from your heel to your fingertips. It stimulates your abdominal organs and strengthens your legs, arms and core muscles.

DO NOT PRACTICE EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE POSE (UTTHITA PARSVAKONASANA) IF:

1. You suffer from migraines

2. You have low or high blood pressure

3. You have a neck injury – you can practice the pose but gaze straight ahead or downwards instead of upwards

BENEFITS OF EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE POSE (UTTHITA PARSVAKONASANA)

1. Stimulates abdominal organs and helps with digestion

2. Strengthens core muscles, back, arms and legs

3. Stretches chest, lungs, waist and shoulders

4. Increases stamina

5. Helps alleviate menstrual discomfort

HOW TO PRACTICE EXTENDED SIDE ANGLE POSE (UTTHITA PARSVAKONASANA) IN 3 EASY STEPS

1. Stand in Mountain Pose (Tadasana). Exhale and step your feet in a wide parallel stance (whatever feels comfortable for you). Raise your arms straight up to the sky, actively reach them out to the sides, keep your chest out and shoulders back. Your palms should face the ground. Make sure your heels are aligned, turn your right thigh outwards and bend your knee. The centre of your right kneecap should align with the centre of your left heel. Keep your left leg straight.

2. Lower your right hand in front of your right foot. Raise your left arm overhead and lengthen the entire left side of your body. Gaze upwards towards your extended arm.

3. Repeat on the other side.

PREPARATORY POSES

Downward Facing Dog Pose - Adho Mukha Svanasana

Reclining Bound Angle Pose - Supta Baddha Konasana

Wide Legged Standing Forward Bend - Prasarita Padottanasana

Accomplished Pose / Perfect Pose – Siddhasana

Reclining Hero Pose – Supta Virasana

Reclining Hand to Big Toe Pose - Supta Padangusthasana

Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend - Upavistha Konasana

Extended Triangle Pose - Utthita Trikonasana

Warrior II Pose - Virabhadrasana II

Hero Pose – Virasana

FOLLOW UP POSES

Bound Angle Pose / Butterfly Pose / Cobbler’s Pose - Baddha Konasana

Garland Pose - Malasana

Crow Pose - Bakasana