Extended Side Angle

Sanskrit Name:	Utthita Parsvakonasana
Category:	Standing
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Pose Directory

Membership Category:	Yoga Lesson Planner
Sub Category:	Standing
Types:	Balance, Forward Bend, Side Bend, Strengthen, Twist, Chest Opener, Hip Opener, Prone, Standing
Anatomy:	Arms & Shoulders, Biceps & Triceps, Core, Hamstrings, Hips, Psoas, Wrists & Arms
Chakras:	Base, Sacral Centre, Solar Plexus Centre, Heart Centre
Therapy:	Arthritis, Back Pain, Constipation, Depression, Diabetes, Fatigue, Herniated Disc, Indigestion, Poor Posture
Drishti:	Up
Dosha:	Vata, Pitta, Kapha

From High Lunge bring left leg forward. Twist chest to right. Bring left arm under left thigh. Bring right hand around back (see if hands can meet). Open chest to ceiling. Gaze up. Repeat on other side.

Uses all muscles.

Use a block.

Headache. High and low blood pressure.

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Benefits Of Side Bend Poses

1) Heart & Lungs – Side stretching releases tension from the muscles that attach to the ribs and the intercostal muscles between the ribs themselves, allowing the ribs to express their full range of motion and the lungs to effectively respond to the increase and decrease of volume. The diaphragm (major muscle of breathing) and the chambers of the heart all get stretched as well, especially in postures such as Reclined Hero with arms reached overhead.

2) Digestion - Creating space between the iliac crest and the lower ribs on one side as you close the space on the other does wonders for the organs of the digestive system: stomach, pancreas and large intestine on the left side and liver, gallbladder and large intestine on the right side. Also, simultaneous side body stretching is great for both intestines and all aspects of the colon.

3) Immunity – The lymphatic system, unlike the cardiac system, does not have a pump to propel lymphatic flow throughout the body. Lymphatic fluid is derived from interstitial fluid (fluid between cells) and collects bacteria to bring to the lymph nodes where it is destroyed. The best way to help detoxify the body and move the lymphatic fluid along is to rebound (up and down movement i.e. running, skipping, trampolining) and stretch. Arms overhead side body stretching affects the lymph nodes in the auxiliary region (armpit) and the region of the spleen (lymphatic organ) itself.

Extended Side Angle

Benefits Of Side Bend Poses

Video Of Pose

Follow Up Poses

Crow

Extended Side Angle

Bound Angle

Low Lunge

High Lunge

Squat

Wide Leg Forward...

Warrior II

Extended Triangle

Triangle

Preparation Poses

Warrior III

Downward Facing Dog

Downward Facing Dog...

Hero

Reclined Hand To...

Reclined Bound...

Straddle

Extended Triangle

Triangle

Reclined Bound...

Counter Poses

Wide Leg Forward...

Wide Leg Forward...

Wide Leg Forward...

Wide Leg Forward...