Parsvakonsasna or the side angle posture is a foundational standing posture. The lower portion of the pose is set up the same as the often more familiar posture virabhadrasana b or Warrior 2. This posture functions as a hip and shoulder opener, strength builder, and a powerful spinal opener. It also creates space for the internal organs while stretching the fascia of the shoulders and belly. 

Although there is a lean to the side, strictly speaking, side angle is not a side bend. Instead the upper side of the waistline contracts to keep the sides of the torso even. It strengthens the obliques when properly executed. You may still feel some intense side body stretch within the strength as the arm reaches alongside the ear where the lat stretch occurs. Modifications may be made if there is excessive tightness in the shoulders or and injury in the area as well as different variations to accommodate tightness in the hips.  

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About Chris Loebsack

• ​Chris Loebsack, 500 E.R.Y.T,  fell in love with yoga in 1995 and began teaching in 2003. Chris uses the power of yoga to create a space for students that cultivates trust, playfulness and Divine connection with themselves and with community. Living by her mantra, Clarity, Integrity and Love, she draws upon her partner yoga practice to share the healing power of touch and safe intimacy. A passion for discovering subtlety in movement has lead Chris to deepen her education with the Anatomy Studies for Yoga Teachers® kinesiology program. Her playful yet focused classes are filled with user friendly gems of applied anatomy leaving students with a greater understanding of how to find comfort and space in their bodies and smiles beaming across their faces. She encourages teachers to set a higher standard of excellence through knowledge and has become a valuable mentor to many upcoming yoga educators. 
  Chris's Teaching Schedule

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Author: Chris Loebsack

Añjaneyāsana, the lunge, also sometimes called crescent pose, features a kneeling back-bend with the thighs moving asymmetrically towards a front split. The pose may be done on it's own, or is often found in classical style sun salutations. Some variations keep the arms down and others lift the arms up as seen in the photo of Jennifer above. The position in Sanskrit is named after Añjani, the iconic mother figure of Hanuman (hanumanasana - the splits pose).

Benefits 

• Strengthens the ankles, inner thighs, quads, glutes, back muscles (spinal erectors), pelvic floor muscles, and core muscles. If the arms are lifted it will also strengthen the back of the shoulder and the triceps.
• Stretches the ankle, hip flexors, groin muscles, and front of the torso. If the arms are lifted it also stretches the lats. 

Common Pitfalls

• If there is weakness in the inner thighs and core muscles, palace the hands on blocks on either side of the hips for support and balance help until you build the strength to hold yourself upright. 
• If there is sensitivity in the neck avoid looking up or taking the head back and instead keep the neck neutral and look forward. 
• If there are specific knee or back injuries avoid the pose, or minimize the depth of the lunge by keeping a shorter stride. 

Step by Step Instructions

1. From a table top position step your right foot forward. If your knee is sensitive, you can place a blanket under your back knee or double up your yoga mat for more cushion.
2. Place blocks on wither side of the front foot and then the hands on the block. Lift the chest and look forward. Stay here or go to #3
3. Bring your hands onto your right knee and your right knee directly over your right ankle. Stay here or go to #4
4. Inhale and raise your arms above your head, keeping the arms in line with your ears.
5. To deepen into the lunge press firmly into your feet as you allow your hips to shift forward. As you do, your left thigh comes closer to the floor. To support engagement and to avoid sinking into the joints, hug your inner thighs in towards one another (adduction of the inner thighs).
6. You may enjoy taking the upper spine into a back-bend if that feels comfortable. If you choose this option keep the chest lifting upward and core engaged to avoid sinking into the low back. 
7. Exhale to release the hands down, re-frame the front foot, and release the pose.
8. Repeat on the left side.

Hold Time
30 seconds - 2 minutes
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Dandasana is known as the staff pose and is a foundational seated posture. Danda means staff and asana posture or seat are combined to form the term dandasana. If you have taken a flow class you may have heard the term combined with another word Chaturanga Dandasana or the 4 limb staff pose that is often shorted to simply chaturanga . 

Dandasana is the basis of all seated postures. The staff position is often used as a preparation for other postures, yet alone it holds its own beauty in strength and power and subtle nuance. 

Staff Strengthens
Ankles 
Shins
Quadriceps (top of the thighs)
Spinal muscles
Pelvic floor and core muscles 
Triceps
Lower fibers of the traps

Staff Stretches
The soles of the feet
Calves
Hamstrings
Glutes
Back of the neck
Wrists flexors
Biceps and anterior arm and forearm

Subtle Anatomy
This pose activates the root lock (mula bandha), belly lock (udiyana bandha) and chin lock (jalandahara bandha), collectively known as the great lock (maha bandha). This contains and circulates the energy within the torso. The hand lock (hasta bandha) may also be engaged if the palm is flat on the floor with activity evenly spread across the hand to engage the arches of the palms.

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