How to Practice Extended Side Angle Pose

"I will never forget my striking initial reactions to Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose or Lateral Angle Pose), one of the most beautiful and strongest of the standing poses, developed by B.K.S. lyengar. The first time I tried the pose I could not believe the difficulty it presented. Holding the right angle of the front leg exactly at 90 degrees without bending the back leg, and keeping the front knee exactly over the foot, seemed impossible, and I was exhausted by the attempt."

"Generally, all the standing poses are of benefit to the lower extremities-especially the hip joints, the knee joints, the ankles, and feet. In particular, this pose tends to stretch the inner thighs, the adductor muscles, as well as the ligaments of the inner hip joint. This area tends to be tight in Western students because of chair-sitting, which keeps the legs relatively close together. This tightness is significant for two reasons."

Utthita Parsvakonasana demands precise alignment: a 90-degree bend in the front leg, an unbent back leg, and the front knee directly over the foot. The pose exposes weaknesses in leg strength and endurance and tests the ability to maintain an asana. Standing poses benefit the lower extremities, positively affecting hip joints, knee joints, ankles, and feet. Extended Side Angle stretches the inner thighs, adductor muscles, and ligaments of the inner hip joint. Tightness in this area is common in Western students due to chair-sitting that keeps the legs close together. Hip movement influences knee and sacroiliac joint function.

Read at Yoga Journal