Blooming cherry blossoms form the backdrop for Karen Watson Reeves’ demonstration of Extended Side Angle Pose.
By Karen Watson Reeves
The setting for this month’s pose is a perfect springtime backdrop, and because Extended Side Angle Pose develops endurance, it seemed like an appropriate pose in front of blooming cherry blossoms, a harbinger of spring.
We have endured a winter unlike any in recent memory. And Extended Side Angle requires muscle endurance of the legs supporting the body’s weight, the core to keep the body from falling down, and the arms and side body getting into deep stretches.
As the name of the pose suggests, there is a great deal of emphasis on the side of the body. We frequently do forward bend and back bends in our yoga practices, sometimes at the expense of the neglecting the side body.
A great stretch occurs in this pose from the heel to the fingertips on the extended side. This posture brings a focus to the side waist, outer hips and outer thighs. It also opens the chest as the waist is lengthened, creating space in the center of the chest and collar bones.
The quadriceps muscles of the front leg are strengthened, especially as you lift your core up and away from the bent leg and resist the urge to bring weight into the arm (which may be bent and lightly resting on the bent leg, instead of reaching to the ground as pictured).
Once the practitioner has mastered the version of the pose as shown, then it is time to begin working on the Bound Extended Side Angle Pose, an advanced version of the pose, which in turn leads to working up to other challenges. Because just as winter turns to spring, one yoga pose leads to another. It is a great time to take your practice outdoors and enjoy springtime in the Spa City!
Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. She became a registered yoga teacher and a registered children’s yoga teacher in 2011. She has taught children and family yoga in many settings and would welcome an opportunity to help your family stay physically active during this time of quarantine. She owns The Yoga Place, is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff, is an adjunct instructor at National Park College, as well as teaching in several other fabulous venues. www.TheYogaPlaceHS.com.
