Purvottanasana / Intense East Stretch
Benefits:
- Stretches whole front of body.
- Helps strengthen back of body: arms legs, and torso.
Foundation & General Alignment:
- Strong muscle engagement.
- Fingers are spread wide, pointer fingers are parallel with each other.
- Feet are together and legs are engaged.
- Chest is open, shoulders back away from ears.
- Extend evenly through body, from feet all the way through the head.
Common Problems:
- Most at risk is wrists, shoulders, neck, and low back.
- Pain in the wrists or shoulders.
- Neck collapses back without proper engagement. It is okay to keep chin on chest.
Modifications:
- Bend knees and keep them hip distance apart.
- Turn fingers and hands out for more shoulder rotation.
- Use a chair with your hands on the seat and your fingers pointing outwards.
