Mon 23 Jul 2007
I love Chair pose (Ardha Utkatasana) and have been playing around with Half Chair. Chair is challenging enough, but in Half Chair, you let your upper body sink down until your chest is against your legs, arms in Warrior 1 position. So it’s a good strengthener for your legs, butt and upper back. Here’s a flow to try:
Warrior 1 - right foot forward. Hold all poses for 3-5 good breaths. Then bring your weight onto your right foot, arms stay in the same position for,
Warrior 3 - Then bring your back foot down and take a couple breaths in,
Forward Bend - after holding this one, stay in the pose and bring your feet to hip width distance, insides of your feet should be parallel and let your hips sink down for,
Chair - after holding, let your torso sink forward until your chest rests on your legs for,
Half Chair - After holding let your hips sink down for a squat, knees forward. Wrap your left arm around your knees, place your right on the floor twisting your right shoulder back for,
Twisted Squat - Then come into,
Downdog for a couple breaths and repeat on the other side.
Although there are some good strengtheners in this one, I find the Forward Bend, Twisted Squat and Downdog breaks keep it from feeling too intense. Let me know what you think!
July 25th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Thanks - I am looking forward to trying this! Isn’t it funny how you can get so used to a pair (chair) that you don’t even think to take it further?
Thanks for the inspiration : )