Yoga Pose of the Day: Bird of Paradise

The Bird of Paradise Pose is my absolute favorite. I have no idea why, but whenever I do this one, I feel awesome.


1-Come into a wide-legged squat.
2-Bind your arms under your left leg: wrap your left arm over the front of your left leg with your left hand reaching back. Take your right arm behind your back and reach over to clasp your left hand.
3-Shift your weight onto your right leg. Make sure you get to a point where you feel that you have control of your body. If you continue without control, you are just going to fall over.
4-Slowly come up to a standing position. You may stay here with your leg bent if you'd like.
5-If you are feeling as if you can take the pose deeper, begin to straighten your left leg, toes pointed (like in the picture above).
6-Hold the bond and one-legged stance for four or five breaths.
7-Slowly bring your leg back to a bent position if extended, and then lower your body back down into a squat.
8-Unbind your arms from around your left leg, and shift the bind to your right leg, your right arm in front, and your left arm going behind your back.
9-Shift your weight to your left leg and come into a standing position, this time extending your right leg, toes pointed. Again, hold the position for four to five breaths.

Namaste.