Extended Side Angle Pose

Although Earth Day was celebrated last week, the beautiful planet we live on should really be celebrated every day. Connect with the Earth through yoga by coming into Extended Side-Angle Pose, Utthita Parsvakonasana. This posture is a great way to open up the hips while building leg strength and the line created by the arm, torso, and leg symbolizes a connection from Earth to heaven and heaven to Earth. Get a deep stretch while releasing the hips, lengthening the leg muscles and opening the chest and shoulders.

Start from a Warrior 2 stance. Anchor the back heel to the floor by lifting up through the inner groin, exhale and bend your right knee over your right ankle, so that the shin is perpendicular to the floor. If possible bring the right thigh parallel to the floor.

Extend the torso forward as right fingertips come to a block or the floor outside your right knee. Then keep the hips hugging in as the chest opens up towards the ceiling.

Extend your left arm overhead and parallel to your left ear, Stretch from your left heel all the way to your left fingertips, lengthening the side body. Release right shoulder away from your ear and create as much length as possible.

Remember to breathe and keep the knee in line with the ankle as you bend deeper.