Purvottanasana - Inclined Plane
PUR-voh-tah-NAH-sah-nah.
Purva = east.
Uttana = intense.
Asana = steady pose.
This posture is also known as upward plank or east facing pose.
Purvottanasana is a balancing asana that is empowering, energizing and strengthening.
The eastward facing pose reminds us that the sun “rises in the east and sets in the west,” the east is known as the direction of new beginnings and boundless potential.
In this posture, we draw on the strength of the core and leg muscles, as well as the support of the shoulders and arms.
This posture opens the chest and shoulders, strengthen the arms whilst lengthening the torso and gently stretching the organs of digestion.
How to Perform Purvottanasana
Begin sitting on your bottom with your legs extended. Place your hands behind your hips with your fingertips facing forwards; make sure that you distribute your weight evenly through the hands. When you feel ready push down into your hands and heels and lift your hips from the ground. Point your toes towards the ground and look up making sure that you keep your neck in line with your spine.
Hold for ten or more complete breaths. Work to open the chest and keep the hips elevated.
If your arms get tired return your hips to the ground and keep lengthening your torso and work to lift your chest a little whilst keeping your neck in line with your spine.
This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and yoga teacher training courses.
