Side Angle Pose

Benefits: Side angle pose strengthens the legs, hips, ankles and knees. It stretches the side of the torso of the extended arm, the hip and the groin. This pose also stretches the shoulders and arms and it stimulates the abdominal organs.

From your mountain pose, step your right foot back. Place your right foot so that your toes face out to the side a little bit. This is to protect your knee so adjust the angle of the toes as needed.

Start with your upper body facing forward and place your left elbow on top of your left thigh.

Stretch the right arm out to the right side and up ~ as high as you can reach towards the ceiling, opening the chest. Ideally your arms stack. Turn the right palm so that it faces down and bring your arm down towards your head. The idea is to make one straight line from your right foot to your right fingertips.

Remember higher is easier so adjust your pose. Press through the (back) right foot and reach through the right fingertips.

Keep your knee above your ankle and not past the toes. Adjust the body higher (by straightening the left leg a little more) if it is uncomfortable.

Note: Your head should be in line with the rest of your body here. Not forward or back, just comfortably in line with the spine.

Precautions: If you have high or low blood pressure use caution in this pose.