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Pyramid Pose
Also Known as Parsvottonasana
About the Pyramid Pose/Parsvottonasana
This is a standing type of asana. It is moderately difficult pose to perform for the beginners.
Benefits of Pyramid Pose/Parsvottonasana
* The pyramid pose helps you stretch and elongate your spine.
* It helps you stretch and strengthen your hamstrings and legs.
* It also helps in exercising your back and chest muscles.
* Finally the pose helps you improve your sense of balance.
How to do Pyramid Pose/Parsvottonasana?
Step 1: Stand on the floor with your legs separated. The distance between them should ideally be twice the length of your shoulders.
Step 2: Point your right foot outwards, almost at a right angle to the torso. At the same time, point your left foot towards your right leg.
Step 3: Twist your body in the right direction, (that is, in the direction in which your right foot is pointing). In this way, your right leg would come in front and your left would be at the back.
Step 4: Take your arms behind your back, positioning them parallel to the floor. Hold your hands together.
Step 5: It is now time to shift your torso forward. Start bending forward at your hips. Bend till your hips are parallel to the floor. Hold this position for a while.
Step 6: In the next stage of this bend, you need to further shift the weight of your body on to your leg. This means that you need to bring your face as close as possible to your leg. Hold this position for a while, breathing in a graceful manner.
Step7: In order to come out of the pose, you need to kick your feet up. Kicking will allow your back to gain requisite momentum to lift the torso as well as your head from the bend.
More about Pyramid Pose or Parsvottonasana
A word of caution!
The pose is not to be performed if you are suffering from any of the following ailments/injuries:
* Neck injury
* Lower back injuries
Tips for beginners
Beginners would not be able to fully stretch their back and touch the ground. Stiffness in the lower back muscles will hamper their forward bend. In order to overcome this disability they can modify this pose slightly.
Firstly, instead of holding their arms at the back they can make them a part of their torso, taking them forward into the bend. Secondly, they can make use of a prop. A wooden block would be the best prop to use. It can be place on the floor, just beneath the point where the hands are supposed to touch the ground.
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