Side Angle Pose - Parsvakonasana (parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna)

Steps to performing parsvakonasana:
• Stand straight, with your legs 3 ½ to 4 feet apart. Reach your arms out to the sides so that they are straight and parallel to the floor; palms down.
• Turn your left foot slightly to the right and your right foot 90 degrees to the right
• While keeping your left foot planted on the ground, bend your right knee so that your heel and calf make a right-angle with the floor.
• Place your right hand either on the outside or inside of your right leg and lift your left arm straight above you.
• Hold your right heel to the ground, exhale and lower your torso to the top of your right thigh (or as close as you can get).
• Keep your eyes on the elevated hand.
• Hold position for 30 seconds to a minute.

Anatomical Focus: Chest, lungs, shoulders, spine, ankles, legs.

Benefits: Opens up the chest and shoulders, stretches legs, knees, shoulders and chest. This pose also increases stamina and stimulates organs in the abdomen.

Cautions: If you have neck problems, don’t turn your head to look up at your elevated hand – looking down at the floor is perfectly acceptable. Increased practice can also lead to headaches.

Hints/Tips: Beginners who can’t reach the floor can rest their hands on blocks placed by the ankles to for balance and support. Some beginners have trouble keeping their grounding heel on the floor – it’s useful to place the back heel against a wall.

Preparatory Poses:
• Supta Baddha Konasana
• Siddhasana
• Upavistha Konasana
• Supta Virasana
• Supta Padangusthasana
• Prasarita Padottanasana

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