-
|
- Step 1:
- Perform Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose), right leg forward. Inhale and cartwheel your left arm up and over your head, creating a nice opening in the left ribs.
- Step 2:
- With an exhale, twist your torso to the right, pivoting on the ball of the left foot to lift the heel off the floor. Then lean forward, lay your front torso onto the right thigh, and set your hands on the floor on either side of the right foot (if your hands don't rest comfortably on the floor, support each one on a block).
- Step 3:
- Walk your hands slightly ahead of, and shift your weight onto, the right foot. Then, inhale and slowly straighten your right leg, simultaneously lifting the left leg parallel to the floor.
- Step 4:
- The proper balance of external and internal rotation in each leg is important, especially for the standing leg. Your left leg and hip will tend to externally rotate slightly, lifting the hip away from the floor and angling the pelvis to the right. Try to keep the front pelvis parallel to the floor by internally rotating the left thigh.
- Step 5:
- With every inhalation lift a little more through the sternum, using the push of the fingers on the floor to help; with every exhalation twist a little more. Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then release with an exhalation, return to the starting position, and repeat to the left for the same length of time.
- Step 6:
- Feel how the downward energy of the standing leg creates an upward movement in the raised leg. Don't focus on how high your raised leg goes; instead, work toward directing equal energy into both legs. You can hold the raised leg more or less parallel to the floor, or try to raise it slightly higher; ideally your torso should descend as the leg ascends. If you're flexible you can grasp the back of the standing-leg ankle with the opposite-side hand.
- Step 7:
- Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then, lower the raised leg with an exhale and repeat on the other side for the same length of time.
|
- Beginner's Tip:
- Support the lifted leg by pressing the raised foot against a wall or hooking its front ankle over the top edge of a chair back.
- Benefits:
- Calms the brain
.
- Stimulates the liver and kidneys
.
- Stretches the hamstrings, calves, and thighs
- Strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles
- Stretches the back of the leg, the front thigh and groin
- Contraindications and Cautions:
- Lower back injury
- Ankle or knee injury
.
|
