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It strengthens and stretches the inner thighs, groins, hamstrings ands spine. Parivritta Prasarita Padottanasana is an inversion that sends more oxygen to the heart and to the brain - leaving the body and the mind feeling renewed, replenished and clear in thought. |
As we celebrate the beginning of a new year we may choose to embrace the significance of this transition and allow this change to serve as a catalyst - an opportunity to set renewed commitments to our health and wellbeing. Parivritta Prasarita Padottanasana is a detoxifying asana that wrings out the kidneys and the liver - the vital organs responsible for filtering wastes and toxins from the body.
From the top of your mat, take a giant step back with your left leg, as you rotate your feet parallel to each other. You will now be open on the side of your mat, as you heel-toe your legs between three to four and a half feet apart. Ground evenly into the four corners of your feet, strengthening your ankles, as you lift the inner arches of your feet. As you energetically ground down through your feet you will notice a rebound of energy rising up your legs to create stability in your muscles and joints. Feel your inner thighs lifting as you softly rest your hands on your hips. Continue to extend out through the crown of your head as you draw your lower ribs in. Lifting up and out of your waist, lengthening the sides of your body, begin to slowly tip forward from your pelvis. Should you feel your lower back begin to curl or tightness arising in the backs of your legs, please bend your knees slightly. Continue to fold forward, eventually allowing your upper body to fold over your thighs. Lengthen the back of your neck as your head now rests below your heart. Parivritta Prasarita Padottanasana is an inversion. As we invert the body more oxygen begins to travel to both your heart and your brain. Inhale and exhale evenly.
Softly release your hands from your hips, planting your fingertips on the earth under your shoulders. Your arms and legs will now be perpendicular to the floor and parallel to each other. As you inhale, extend your spine and shift your left hand to the midline of the mat. Slide your right hand to the base of your spine. Feel your hips flat, parallel to the mat beneath you. The rotation, or twist, occurs in the spine while the hips stay steady. Inhale deeply and extend through the spine, from the base to the crown. Slowly begin to rotate over your right side, from the low-back, to the mid-back to the upper back. You may turn your gaze up over your right shoulder should this be possible. Please continue to look down for more stability or support in the neck. Begin to extend the right arm up towards the sky, aligning the right shoulder, elbow and wrist in one long line, stacking the joints. Open the palm, reach out through the tips of the fingers, and soften your shoulders away from your ears. Breathe. With every inhalation feel the spine grow longer, with every exhalation feel the spine rotate and open. Exhale to release and then slowly repeat on the opposite side.
Jennifer Findlay
~ is the Director of Yoga at 889 Yonge, a Yoga & Holistic Lifestyle Spa in Rosedale. Jennifers wears Zobha leggings and Zobha “jayne” halter, available at
www.889yonge.com
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