By TERESA ANNE POWER | Special to the Palisadian-Post
This month’s yoga posture is Chair Pose (Utkatasana), which I taught to Rodolfo, the proprietor of Gracias Señor Mexican Food Truck in Pacific Palisades. He was a good sport to take time away from his customers to do this challenging pose with me, while we balanced a burrito and chips and salsa at the same time. Among other benefits, this pose tones your digestive organs so it is great to do before eating Mexican food.
Benefits of Chair Pose:
Tones the entire body, particularly the thighs and ankles.
Stretches the Achilles tendons, shins and shoulders.
Strengthens the hip flexors, calves and back.
Reduces symptoms of flat feet.
Stimulates the heart and abdominal organs.
Modifications:
If you are having trouble balancing, stand with your feet hip-distance apart.
As you continue to practice this pose, work toward standing with your feet together.
Keep your weight in your heels to prevent over-stressing your knees.
If you have medical conditions, talk to your doctor before practicing this or other yoga poses.
Instructions:
Stand with your feet together, with your big toes touching. Beginners can stand with their feet hip-distance apart, like in the photo.
Inhale and raise your arms over your head as you exhale and bend your knees.
Bring your thighs parallel to the floor as you bring your hips down lower, creating a slight bend in your upper back.
Shift your weight into your heels and gaze forward as you hold this pose for up to one minute, building stamina, endurance and mental determination.
A yoga practitioner for over 35 years, Power helps children (and adults) unleash their imaginations through yoga. Since 2000, she has been teaching yoga in schools, yoga studios and local organizations, and has helped thousands of people develop a healthy attitude toward their bodies. Power is an internationally acclaimed yoga expert, keynote speaker and the bestselling, award-winning author of “The ABCs of Yoga for Kids” product line, which has been translated into many languages and sold 250,000 copies worldwide. She is also the founder of International Kids’ Yoga Day, an annual event that celebrates the health and wellness of our youth worldwide through the practice of yoga. In 2017, she created World Yoga Power, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make the life-changing practice of yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of age, location or finances. For more information, visit abcyogaforkids.com and worldyogapower.com.
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