Utthita Parsvakonasana

Utthita Parsvakonasana: Extended Side Angle Pose
utthita = extended
parsva = side, flank
kona = angle



How to start it:
You first start off in this asana with Tadasana which is also known as the mountain pose. Standing with your feet about 4 feet apart, spread your arms out so that they're parallel to the floor. Turn your left foot in slightly to the right, while your right foot is turned the full 90 degrees to the right, all the while facing forward and maintaining good posture. Bend your right leg so that it forms a right angle, and make sure that your thigh is parallel to the floor. Keep your left leg straight, and your foot pressed firmly down onto the floor at all times. Place your right palm down next to your right foot, and bring your left arm up over the left ear, creating a straight angle from your left arm all the way down to your left leg. Keep your neck extended before slowly turning your head to face your left hand. Open up your sternum and extend your chest while taking slow deep breaths.

How to get out of it:
Press into your feet as you extend your left arm while coming back up.

Yoga is a great source of relieving stress and bad energy, and that can help us to channel our inner selves, and to be calm and peaceful in the heart. This asana is not only great for our mental help, but for our physical health as well. Yoga is an exercise combining both the mind and the body. In this particular asana you work with your legs, knees, ankles, spine, back, waist, and more. You help to strengthen your legs and stretch your waist and spine, thus increasing stamina and flexibility while opening up your heart and chest.

In this asana I feel both relaxed and calm but still extremely focused and a bit determined. This pose is not exactly hard, but it's not the easiest pose either so it still requires a little bit of determination and focus which I like. Instead of just standing there stretching, I can really challenge myself and think about the pose and what I'm doing. I also feel relaxed and calm, because yoga in itself is a sort of calming mechanism. It helps you to concentrate and to center yourself and relax.




References:
http://www.yogatic.com/yoga-poses/extended-side-angle-pose/
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/749
http://www.yoga.com/ydc/enlighten/enlighten_document.asp?ID=353&section=9&cat=0