YOGAJOURNAL.COM / 36 / FEBRUARY 2018
Modify Utthita Parsvakonasana as needed
to fi nd safe alignment in your body.
If your hamstrings or glutes are tight,
or if you feel wobbly ...
TRY bringing your front elbow to your front thigh instead
of putting your hand on the mat. From a wide stance, with your
front heel in line with your back heel and your front knee over
your front ankle, inhale and reach your arms up, creating length
in your side body. Exhale and allow your pelvis to rotate. Side-
bend over your front leg and place your front elbow on your
front thigh. Putting your elbow on your thigh will allow you to
more easily keep your legs active, helping you to balance.Find your truth
Your yoga practice can help you become
more aware of your patterns—both physical
and psychological. Notice where you hold
tension, and pay attention to thoughts that
keep emerging. I started practicing yoga during
law school, and it helped me to understand that
my choice to become a lawyer was driven by
my kleshas (dvesha and abhinivesha). I had
been rock climbing for a few years and loved
it, but my fears kept me from thinking that it
would ever be a feasible career. The more I
practiced yoga, the more I knew that becoming
a professional rock climber was part of my
dharma, or life purpose. When you know what
your priorities are, it can give you the strength
to make life choices that are more true to you.If you struggle to keep your
back heel down ...
TRY putting your back foot against a wall. It’s important to keep
your back foot down with the outer edge of your foot anchored
to the mat. This helps you keep your core active in the pose.
Set up your mat against a wall. Place your back heel against
the wall, and as you move into the posture, keep pressing your
back heel against the wall. This also wakes up the inner thigh
of your back leg. As you stand here, concentrate on lifting and
engaging that leg.If you’re unable to place your hand on
the fl oor (and you want to move your
right arm lower than your thigh) ...
TRY bringing your front hand to a block on the outside of
your front foot. This allows you to keep the alignment of the
posture while developing a new range of mobility, particu-
larly if taking your elbow to your thigh does not feel challeng-
ing enough for you. The block is for balance, but don’t press
fi rmly into it. Instead, gently rest your hand on the block and
keep length in your spine and energy in your legs.YOGAPEDIA
PRACTICE WELL