Embrace your inner stability with the bound side angle pose, a yoga posture that will not only help improve balance and strength in your lower body but also give an invigorating stretch to key muscles like those in the groin, thighs and back. Not to mention urinary tract benefits for good measure!
Baddha Parsvakonasana, or Bound Side Angle Pose, is an energizing standing yoga pose that offers endless benefits. Not only can it strengthen the lower body and stretch out your muscles but it also promotes balance and coordination while providing a calming boost to keep you motivated during even the toughest of workouts!
To practice Bound Side Angle Pose:
- Begin in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) with your feet together and arms at your sides.
- Step your feet about 3-4 feet apart, turning your right foot out and your left foot in slightly.
- Bend your right knee, aligning it over your right ankle.
- Place your right hand on the ground beside your right foot and reach your left arm up toward the ceiling.
- Inhale as you lift your left arm up, then exhale as you hinge at your hips and reach your left arm down toward the ground on the outside of your right leg.
- Place your left hand on the ground beside your right foot or on your right shin, ankle, or foot.
- Lengthen your spine and lift your chest up, keeping your hips squared and your right knee bent.
- Gaze up at your left hand or keep your gaze forward.
- Hold the pose for 5-10 breaths, then slowly come back to Mountain Pose and repeat on the other side.
The bound side angle pose is an invigorating yoga asana, which can be incorporated in a Vinyasa flow class. Depending on your level of flexibility and experience, you might choose the advanced variation or opt for something simpler – like the easy version.
To begin this posture properly it’s important to fold forward first with one arm resting atop its corresponding thigh and your bottom forearm placed underneath said limb if desired; alternatively use a blanket instead! And after opening up those hips while keeping everything in alignment from head to toe make sure that each foot equally presses into the ground for full effect.
If your knee struggle to keep up with the weight of your body, you can take advantage of a foam yoga wedge or block. Even though they provide extra support, don’t forget to engage and stabilize your core, if not useful gear is available then simply rest those heels on solid ground!
This particular pose serves an array of therapeutic purposes from relieving low back pain to constipation relief; making it especially suitable for sedentary individuals who are looking for some much needed inner thigh-stretching activities in their lives.
