Week 81: Welcomed Pose During an Irregular Week

One of the exciting things about yoga, at least I think, is that it has so many options and not one practice is the same as another. This week's practice was slightly out of the ordinary such that it was on a different day of the week and time of day than "the usual". 

Flexibility, in many senses of the word, was the theme of my week!

So when I started my "out of the ordinary" practice this week, I was delighted to enjoy this pose so much. Revolved Standing Wide Leg Forward Bend (Parivrrta Prasarita Padottanasana) was a welcomed addition to my day. Being that my body is moving differently it was nice that this pose just felt like home or in a better sense, normal. Just what I needed!

Revolved Standing Wide Leg Forward Bend, as you can deduct, is a forward bend that helps release the back, neck and groin. It is known to calm the mind and relieve stress, anxiety and mild depression. With the addition of a twist, this pose allows for all the benefits of "wringing out the spine" such as stretching and strengthening the upper back and shoulders. 

Since the position is a wide stance, my belly was sure to fit! Most sources have indicated that major spinal twists (i.e., lumbar spine and above) are not recommended in pregnancy, but since the twist is generated from the thoracic spine, it isn't necessarily contraindicated. The twist is what delineates this pose from its' sister pose, wide leg forward bend. 

My only major hang up during this week's practice was the pose is not recommended when having sinus congestion (makes sense, with the head below the hips!). And this has been part of my week...Kleenex, anyone? However, the pressure was minimal but I could expect if I hung out in only the forward bend position for too long, it would have been uncomfortable.

Yoga brings such calm and regularity to my week and life. And it always seems to just find its way in with the most needed pose!
LW