Vinyala

Pose sheet

Extended Side Angle Pose

Utthita Pārśvakoṇāsanaउत्थित पार्श्वकोणासन

Bend one knee; lengthen your side body from your back heel.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Both feet and your bottom palm; back heel grounded.

Enter

  1. From Mountain, inhale; spread your feet wide and extend your arms.
  2. Turn your front foot 90°; angle your back foot slightly inward.
  3. Exhale; bend your front knee over your ankle, thigh parallel to floor.
  4. Place your palm outside your foot; bring your armpit near your knee.
  5. Reach your top arm over your ear, palm facing down.

Hold

  1. Ground your back heel and keep that knee straight.
  2. Point your bent knee toward your toes.
  3. Lengthen both sides and turn your chest upward.
  4. Reach from your back heel through your top fingertips.

Exit

  1. Inhale and lift your torso while straightening your front knee.
  2. Open your arms; switch sides and repeat.
  3. Exhale and return to Mountain with your arms down.
Breathing
Breathe deeply and evenly.
Gaze
Look up; alternatively, forward.
Duration
30–60 seconds per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • BlockPlace a block under your bottom hand, outside your foot.
  • Forearm on thighRest it on your front thigh; lengthen your side.
  • Hand on hipKeep your top hand on your hip.
  • ChairSit in a chair; rest your forearm on your front thigh.

Variations

  • Bottom hand inside your front foot.
  • Bound: wrap around your front thigh and grasp your top wrist.
  • Trikoṇāsana, variation 2, with front knee slightly bent.

Signals of effort

  • Bent front knee supporting part of your weight.
  • Some weight through your bottom hand.
  • Top arm held overhead.
  • Neck turned to look toward your top hand.