Benefits:
- Stimulates abdominal organs
- Stretches and strengthens ankles and legs
- Stretches chest, groin, lungs and shoulders
- Increases stamina
- Helps with backaches (especially through second trimester of pregnancy!)
- Helps with carpal tunnel syndrome, infertility, flat feet, sciatica and osteoporosis
Cautions/Contraindications:
- High blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Neck problems - do not turn head to look over front hand
Step by Step Instructions:
From mountain pose, step your feet approximately 3.5-4 feet apart. Reach your arms out to the side, parallel to the ground and palms facing down. Pivot your right foot so that your toes face the right side, and align your right heel with the arch of your left foot. On an exhale, bend your right knee so that it is aligned with your ankle. You may need to adjust the width of your stance. Actively reach your arms in either direction as you ground through your feet. Breathe here for 5-10 breaths and then switch sides.