UTTHITA PARSVAKONASANA

Standing Asanas

Difficulty:

Description

UTTHITA PARSVAKONASANA Asana group: standing poses (extended side angle) Translation of the name from Sanskrit: • utthita — extended; parshva — side; kona — angle; asana — pose. 1. Setup Starting position: wide side stance. Turn the front foot out and bend the front knee. Fold the torso toward the front leg, resting the elbow or the palm on the knee. Reach the upper arm over the head in line with the torso and gaze up. 2. Simplified and advanced variations Simplified variations: • rest the elbow on the knee; • bend less deeply. Advanced variations: • press the palm to the floor beside the foot; • add a twist with the top arm reaching down. 3. Injury prevention Keep the front knee from caving inward. Reduce the depth if the knee is weak.