Yoga Pose of the Week: Side Angle Pose

a.k.a Parsvakonasana

Position – Standing

Type – Balance

Spiritual Awareness – Manipura

Physical Awareness – The whole body!  But seriously when we really go into it– legs, ankles, groin, chest, lungs, shoulders, spine, abdomen…….

Our side body is just as important to stretch out as the rest of our body, it’s often forgotten though, as we tend to notice and stretch out a sore back or neck, and that trumps stretching the side body.

How often do you think about this part of your body?  Have you ever intentionally stopped, noticed, and stretched?  Some people will nod and say yes, a lot of people will not.

Side Angle Pose is a truly beneficial posture, it is not only challenging and therapeutic, it also helps lengthen and strengthen muscles that you didn’t know you had! 

It’s great for beginners to advanced yoga students, it particularly helps build strength in the legs and core.  Side Angle Pose is a standing pose that is quite often taught in a standing sequence flow.  It’s a great opportunity to deepen awareness on balance, breath, and extending through the side body.

How to get there –

Start in Warrior 2

• Face the long side of your mat, feet wide, arms stretched out to the sides.
• Turn your right foot and knee to face the front of the mat.
• Turn your left toes slightly toward your right foot.
• Both arms reach out to shoulder height.
• Hips are open in this position.
• Bend your front knee.
• Bring the front forearm down to rest on the top of the thigh of the front leg.
• Turn your palm to face upwards.
• Inhale and raise your back arm up and over the head for a side stretch.
• Keep both arms active by spreading all fingers, and chest nicely lifted.
• Make sure that both shoulders are in line with each other (open the chest up more to make this happen).
• Think of your body being one straight line from hips to fingers tips.
• You can stretch your neck here as well, either look down at the floor, straight ahead or look up.
• Notice the lengthening of your side body – it feels soooo good!
• Stay here for 5 rounds of long breaths.

How to exit the pose –

• Bring back hand to hip.
• Engage your core – draw your belly button to spine.
• Front hand onto thigh, press the palm down, and use your core to come up to standing.

Begin with your feet in to hip distance apart, this is tadasana pose

Take a few deep breaths in Tadasana –

Repeat on the other side and hold for 5 long breaths.

Benefits of Side Angle Pose.

• It opens the chest and lengthens the side waist.
• Brings awareness to the body, internally and externally.
• Stretches every part of your body, while focusing on side body.
• Boosts energy.
• Improves posture.
• Builds confidence and sense of empowerment.
• It also teaches your body to be vertical and upright.

Contraindications –

• Pre existing neck issues.
• Knee issues.
• If you have vertigo or dizziness.
• If you have a headache at the time.

Avoid the pose completely if–

If you have regular migraines.

High or low blood pressure

Variations.

For a harder option of the pose, bring your front hand to the floor or onto a yoga block.

Easier option bring front hand to thigh instead of forearm.

Yoga can be modified in many different ways, you just need to do what feels good for you!

Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace.  You are the most important person in your life.

Namaste.