Published on June 9th, 2014 | by Catherine Tingey

SIDE ANGLE POSE (Parsvakonasana)

Side Angle Pose

I can’t thing of a better lengthening posture than this pose, especially the extended version (arm overhead).

Side Angle is one of 5 poses I teach to anyone who SITS all day as it lengthens the side body (waist), increases length and flexibility in the spine, and opens the hips/groin.

It’s a wonderfully energizing and yet grounded posture – a really essential pose.

ALIGNMENT

In Tadasana, step the feet apart, roughly the distance of the extended palms.

Angle the left foot towards the body, right foot parallel to mat. Make sure the feet are in heel-arch alignment.

Bend the right knee to 90 degrees and set the right palm on the inside or outside of the right foot.

Extend the left arm to the sky.

Stretch from the left ear to the left fingertips, lengthening the entire left side of the body.

WORK IN THE POSE

Lift the arch of the back foot – try to keep the weight evenly balanced on front and back foot (although the tendency will be to weight the front foot). Keep the right toes relaxed.

If possible, bend the right leg until the right thigh is parallel to the earth.

Don’t collapse the lower side waist body.

Revolve the heart to the sky.

Soften the shoulder blades down the back.

I also suggest playing with a block –they’re not just for beginners– and you can really play more with the refining of this pose

Do both sides.

VARIATIONS

Rest the right elbow on the right knee
Place the right hand on the outside of the right foot
Take a bind
Extend the left arm over the ear (which is nice preparation for Half Moon)

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Catherine Tingey

Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 31 years and teaching privately for 11 years.

Tags: Asana Analysis, Outdoor Yoga, Yoga, Yoga Pose Guide, Yoga Santa Monica

About the Author

Catherine Tingey + Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 31 years and teaching privately for 11 years.