Extended Side Angle

Utthita Parsvakonasana

Pronounce: oot-tee-tah PARSH-vah-ko-NAH-sah-nah

Instructions

Begin standing. Step your feet 3 ½ to 4 feet apart with an inhale. Bring feet parallel. Bring your arms to shoulder height, palms facing down. Turn your right foot 90 degrees to the right. Bend your right knee with an exhale, bringing the thigh parallel to the floor. Align knee over ankle. Bend to the right with an exhale, bringing your fingertips to the floor just outside of your right foot. Reach your left arm up with an inhale, then lower the arm alongside your ear, palm facing down. Gaze toward your top arm. Hold the pose and take slow, deep breaths. Rise with an inhale, then exhale and step your feet together. Change sides. Alignment Cues: Anchor outer edge of foot to floor Align knee over ankle Center body weight evenly between feet Lightly rest fingertips on floor Bring back leg, torso and extended arm in one diagonal line Modification: Gaze toward the floor. Rest your forearm on your thigh instead of reaching to the floor.
Exercise Name: Extended Side Angle Instruction: Begin standing. Step your feet 3 ½ to 4 feet apart with an inhale. Bring feet parallel. Bring your arms to shoulder height, palms facing down. Turn your right foot 90 degrees to the right. Bend your right knee with an exhale, bringing the thigh parallel to the floor. Align knee over ankle. Bend to the right with an exhale, bringing your fingertips to the floor just outside of your right foot. Reach your left arm up with an inhale, then lower the arm alongside your ear, palm facing down. Gaze toward your top arm. Hold the pose and take slow, deep breaths. Rise with an inhale, then exhale and step your feet together. Change sides. Alignment Cues: Anchor outer edge of foot to floor Align knee over ankle Center body weight evenly between feet Lightly rest fingertips on floor Bring back leg, torso and extended arm in one diagonal line Modification: Gaze toward the floor. Rest your forearm on your thigh instead of reaching to the floor. Primary Body Parts: Glutes & Hip Flexors, Obliques, Quadriceps, Shoulders Secondary Body Parts: Triceps, Ankles Equipments: Categories: Hip openers, Standing