Parswa konasana (Side angle pose)

The name comes from the Sanskrit,“Parswa” meaning “side” and “Kona,” meaning “Angle” and “Asana”, meaning “Asana”.

Steps with breathing

 Stand erect in “taadasana” hands on the waist.

 Inhale feet apart by 3/4 feet or as much comfortable, point the right foot towards right side.

 While firming the left heel on the floor exhale and bend your right knee until right thigh is parallel to the floor and make sure knee doesn’t cross the toes.

 With inhalation bring the arms parallel to the floor, palms facing downward and gaze at the right middle finger.

 While lengthening the entire left side of your body with further exhalation bring the right torso on right thigh and place right hand’s finger tips beside the right foot touching the floor and stretch the left arm over the head and gaze at the left hand’s finger tips.

 Remain in this position from half a minute to a minute, breathing deeply and evenly. Inhale and extend the arms parallel to the floor, straighten the knee and exhale back in shithala taadasana.

Adjustments

Front knee should not cross the toes and make the 90 degree angle.

Thigh should be parallel to the floor.

Front heel should be in line with heel behind or it can be in line with the centre of the behind foot.

Weight of the body should be evenly distributed on both the legs.

Variations

Placing the elbow on the bent knee in case the extended hand’s palm is not reaching the ground.

Placing the extended hand’s palm in front of the bended leg’s foot and extend the other hand towards the ceiling.

Benefits

Relieves the stiffness in the back and shoulders.

Strengthens and tones up the ankles, knees and thighs.

Reduces the fat around the waist and relieves the sciatica and arthritis pain. .

It also increases peristaltic activity and aids elimination.

Contraindications

This asana is strictly prohibited for people with injury of knees, hips, spine, shoulders and ankles.

High/ low blood pressure

Diarrhoea

Insomnia