Parivrtta Parsvakonasana

Parivrtta Parsvakonasana - Revolved Side Angle Pose
Parivrtta is to turn or revolve, parsva is the side, kona is angle, and as we know, asana means pose is Sanskrit.
The steps of getting in and out of this pose goes as follows:
- Tadasana (mountain pose) is your starting point
- Jump and spread legs apart for a goal stance of about four to five feet apart, depending on your height
- Turn left foot 45˚ and right 90˚, bending the right leg
- Outside of your right knee should be over right ankle
- Now, exhale and move torso to the right until completely faced out over right leg
- Also turn heel so it's parallel to inner right foot
- Exhale and bend right knee, making right thigh parallel to the floor
- Keep in mind that the left leg is active. Reach left thigh to the ceiling, pressing through the corners of the feet and press tailbone inwards
-Exhale and turn more, and place left hand inside of the right foot. Keep shoulders back, and press into the floor.
- To go into full posture, bend left elbow and bring outside of right knee, then straighten the elbow, pressing hand on the floor.
- Turn head and look at up right arm
- Remember to lengthen on inhalations, and twist on exhalations

This asana has many benefits including; stretching and strengthening the knees, ankles, and legs, stretches chest and lungs, groin, shoulders, and spine, activates abdominal organs, increases your stamina, helps with digestion and elimination, and will also improve your balance.

This asana made me feel tense to relaxed. I could feel my hips were extremely tight, and it helped release that. My knee also seemed a little looser afterwards. It really requires focus, because you can lose your balance at any moment with this pose!

Resources:
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/876
http://www.yogachicago.com/nov02/yoga-pose.shtml

Yoga