The Pose

Palisadian-Post Yoga Pose of the Month: Balancing on One Leg

I was on hiatus over the summer, but am now back each month with a new yoga pose to help you incorporate a healthy activity into your daily life! Balancing on one leg will help you find your center, and in turn will help you to approach life with calm awareness, which is the heart of what yoga is all about.

I had fun teaching Susan Payne,  president of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, this standing yoga pose, which I call the “Flamingo Pose” when I teach it to kids.

Benefits of standing on one leg:

• Strengthens the leg muscles.
• Stretches the hips, lower back and hamstrings.
• Improves balance and equilibrium.
• Helps with focus and concentration.

Modifications:

• If you are having trouble balancing, try practicing this pose with your back against a wall.
• If you have medical conditions, talk to your doctor before practicing this or other yoga poses.

Instructions:

1. Stand tall with both feet firmly planted into the ground.
2. Slowly shift your balance to your right leg, and gently bend your left leg, grabbing hold of your left knee.
3. Focus on one spot ahead of you to maintain your concentration and balance.
4. Take your time, as it is easier to come into a balancing pose slowly and with awareness.
5. Breath slowly in and out through your nose, as you maintain a steady gaze.
6. Hold this pose for five deep breaths to start, and then gently switch sides.

Teresa Anne Power is an internationally recognized children’s yoga expert and best-selling author of the award-winning book “The ABCs of Yoga for Kids.” She has taught yoga to both adults and kids for over 16 years, helping thousands of people develop a healthy attitude toward their body. Power has also appeared on local and national TV and radio talking about the health benefit of yoga for kids, and is a keynote speaker. In addition, she is the founder of Kids’ Yoga Day, an international event to raise global awareness of the benefits of yoga for kids, and recently founded 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, go to abcyogaforkids.com or kidsyogaday.com.