The Dancer - Natarajasana
The dancer also know as natarajasana will improve overall balance; strengthen all of the leg and core muscles whilst improving the agility of the spine and hip flexors. It is also a powerfel heart opening pose.
Natarajasana is also known as the king dancers pose it symbolises an ancient dance of Siva. This posture when practiced regularly encourages, grace, strength and openness.
How to perform The Dancer – Natarajasana
Nata- Dance
Raja- King
Asana – Pose
nut-ah-raj-AHS-anna
Begin standing transfer all of your weight onto the right foot. Make sure that your weight is distributed evenly through the sole of the right foot. Bend your left knee bringing the left heel in towards your bottom. Hold on to either the inside edge or the outside edge of the sole of the foot and reach the right arm up.
Keep hold of the left foot lift the left leg behind you, lift the leg as high as you can without tipping forward, then allow the leg to lift a little higher as you allow the upper body to move forward. As your leg lifts your torso moves forward. Only move the torso forward if your balance feels steady.
Hold for five complete breaths through the nose before moving to the other side.
This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and yoga teacher training courses.
