Monday, January 23, 2012

Day 2 - Chair Pose

Difficulty - Easy
Muscle Groups Addressed - Thighs, Shoulders, Chest

Utkatasana, or the Chair Pose, is an excellent beginners Yoga pose that can be performed anywhere, especially at your desk. Start the pose in a standing position with your feet close together. Drive your heels into the ground as you extend your hands upward and bend at the knees. Lower your butt down to a seated position and tilt your body forward, taking care not to over-bend. The empty space between your thighs and your stomach should form ~90 degree angle. The natural tendency is to over-arch the back, so do your best to keep your back straight and your ribs out. Breath gently as you hold the position for at least 30 seconds. You should feel the burn in your thighs and your shoulders as you extend your hands to the sky. If you need to lessen the tension in your shoulders, bring your arms down and hold them parallel to the floor.