All Yoga Poses Galleries
Restorative yoga poses and hatha yoga stretches

English name: Intense Side Stretching Pose
Sanskrit name: Parsvottanasana

Difficulty level: Basic

Technique

1. Stand, feet together.
2. Step the right leg forward about 1 meter, keeping the feet aligned.
3. Raise the arms straight overhead, extending from the heels to the hands.
4. Bend forward over the right leg, keeping the right leg and back straight. Try to touch the forehead or chin to the knee. If possible press the stomach and chest to the leg, keeping the back straight.
5. Deepen the pose by turning the hips to the right.
6. Hold the pose for 20 - 30 seconds.
7. Repeat the pose with the left leg forward.

Breathing

• Inhale while extending up to start the pose.
• Exhale while bending forward.
• Breathe normally in the final position.

Benefits

• Anatomical - Intense stretch for the hips, hamstrings, calves and ankles. Increases flexibility of the hips and lower back.
• Digestive - Massages and stimulates the digestive organs.

Notes

• Open the chest with Parsvottanasana by holding the arms in prayer position behind the back, this improves lung capacity.