From Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog), exhale and step your right foot forward between your hands, aligning the right knee over the heel. Then lower your left knee to the floor and, keeping the right knee fixed in place, slide the left back until you feel a comfortable stretch in the left front thigh and groin. Turn the top of your left foot to the floor.
Step 2:
Inhale and lift your torso to upright. As you do, sweep your arms out to the sides and up, perpendicular to the floor. Draw the tailbone down toward the floor and lift your pubic bone toward your navel. Lift your chest from the firmness of your shoulder blades against the back torso.
Step 3:
Take your head back and look up, being careful not to jam the back of your neck. Reach your pinkies toward the ceiling. Hold for a minute, exhale your torso back to the right thigh and your hands to the floor, and turn your back toes under. With another exhale, lift your left knee off the floor and step back to Adho Mukha Svanasana. Repeat with the left foot forward for the same length of time.
Beginner's Tip:
To improve balance practice this pose facing a wall. Press the big toe of the front foot against the wall and stretch your arms up, finger tips to the wall.
Info
One of seven legendary seers, credited with composing the hymns collected in the Vedas.
Benefits:
Stretches the spine, shoulders, and hips.
Massages the abdominal organs.
Relieves lower backache, neck pain, and sciatica.
Helps relieve stress.
Improves digestion.
Especially good in the second trimester of pregnancy for strengthening the lower back.
