My Favorite Yoga Pose

In yoga there are as many poses as there are ways to lithely flex the muscles, joints and ligaments of the body. For me yoga is a way to recharge my body; freeing my mind of the burden of its many thoughts. My favorite yoga pose is the multi-purpose Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana). This rejuvenating pose, improves posture, aids digestion, and helps lower back pain, giving an intense stretch throughout most of your body. The great thing about Half Spinal Twist is it lets you gauge that intensity, to have you gasping for breath or easing into that perfect Nirvana zone between ohm and ahhhh. Performing Ardha Matsyendrasana is relatively easy, making it a treat for beginning and advanced yogis alike. I like to warm up first by standing with my hands on my hips, and twisting gently from side to side for about 60 seconds to get my side muscles primed. Some beginners trying this pose for the first time can get a little cramp in their side. A warm-up should lessen or prevent this. To begin sit on a yoga or exercise mat with your knees bent and your feet tucked beneath your buttocks. Next, with your left leg remaining bent, loop your right leg over your left so that your right foot is directly on the outside of your left leg. You should feel like you are trying to cross your legs while sitting down Indian style, and should look a little bit like a broken pretzel. Now holding that position stretch your arms out at both sides as if you are going to take flight, then twist your side to the right. Your upper left arm should be resting on the outside of your right thigh, and your right arm and hand are keeping your balance, stretched out behind you. Once you are in the pose, inhale deeply through your nose and straighten you posture, then exhale as you twist your body further to the right. Remember to twist at the spine and not the neck. Repeat this inhale and exhale at least 3 - 5 times as your upper and lower body twists farther in opposite directions. Release from your pose and repeat on the other side of your body.