This pose called One-Legged Arm Balance stretches your front hamstring and strengthens your upper body like you wouldn't believe. I know it looks really hard, but if you practice the prep for this pose, you'll get used to placing your elbows into your belly so you can balance on your hands.
 |
| Sanskrit Name: Eka Pada Koundinyasana English Translation: One-Legged Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya Also Called: One-Legged Arm Balance |
Once you can do the prep, then you can work on the steps to get into One-Legged Arm Balance. With a little practice and determination, you'll be balancing in no time. To see the steps read more
| From Warrior 1 with your right foot forward, lower your hands down to the ground and pick your back heel up. Bring your right shoulder as far underneath your right knee as possible, and plant your right hand next to the outside edge of your right foot. |  |
| Now rest the weight of your right hamstring on your right tricep and see if you can pick your right foot off the ground. Work on straightening the leg as much as you can (I know it's hard). |  |
| From here, lower your torso so that your left elbow presses into your belly between your ribs and your hip. This is the most important step. |  |
| Once your left elbow is into your belly and your right tricep is holding your right leg, press into your hands, lean your weight forward, and lift your left foot off the ground so you're balancing on both hands equally. Stay here for five or more breaths (or as long as you can) and then lower your feet down to the ground. Step your right foot back and take a vinyasa (Chaturunga, Up Dog, Down Dog). Then step your left foot forward, rise into Warrior 1 and try these steps on the left side. |  |
Read Related: advertorial arm balance how to one-legged arm balance sponsored by diet coke plus strike a pose yoga
on Yahoo! |
thanks fit! i want to do the Warrior triangle sequence but i can't do the part at the end. I'm going to try to do the prep every chance I get bc i really really need to work on my upper body strength.
btw, is the video for Yoga Video: Stretch Those Hips and Hamstrings down? the space where the video should be is blank
i can access the warrior triangle and fierce but not that vid.
thank you