How To Teach Purvottanasana: Intense Eastward Facing Stretch

Step 1
Teach The Philosophy

Explain to your students the philosophy behind purvottanasana. 

You could say something like:

“As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the east is considered the direction of new beginnings and unlimited potential.”

Step 2
Teach The Benefits

Explain a few of the benefits.  You don’t have to give them all!

Physical Benefits

• Strengthen core
• Strengthen back, triceps, wrists, back, and legs
• Stretches your shoulders, chest, and front ankles
• Counter to forward bend

Mental/Emotional Benefits

• Keeps you open to new possibilities

Step 3
Quick Teaching Tips

• Point fingers towards body.
• Point fingers away from body.
• Push through your thumbs and big toes.
• Avoid hardening buttocks.
• Firm shoulder blades against your back.
• Fight gravity from pulling your head down by keeping it elongated.
• Keep a slight chin tuck as you lower crown of head towards floor.

Step 4
Teach The Counter Pose

A good counter pose is dandasana.

Step 5
Watch A Video Tutorial

Watch videos of other yoga teachers teaching Purvottanasana. Below is one to get you started.

http://youtu.be/iDZ73xcunDU

Step 6
Get The Yoga Genie Lesson Planner

OK. You got me. This isn’t a step. But you can save loads of your precious time creating yoga lesson plans with our Drag & Drop Yoga Genie Lesson Planner.