Spiritual Awakening: intermediate yoga poses | day 18

“Be here now. Be someplace else later.”

 

Intense side stretch

Sanskrit: Parsvottanasana

How to do it

 

Start in Mountain Pose. Step your left foot back and place it flat on the floor at a 45-degree angle. Ground down into both feet and lift up through the thighs.

 

Place your hands on your hips. Rotate your torso forward. Hinge at the hips and lengthen your spine over the front leg. Lift away from the floor and broaden across the chest.

 

Pro tip: If it’s accessible to you, join your palms to touch behind your upper back. For tight shoulders, grab opposite elbows behind your back.

The benefits

 

The pose helps calm the mind and stretches your spine, shoulders, wrists, hips, and hamstrings.

 

 

Suffering is due to our disconnection with the inner soul. Meditation is establishing that connection.