Pose Breakdown: Pyramid
Parsvottanasana
Pronounced: parsh-voh-tahn-AHS-ah-nuh
parsva = side
ut = intense
tan = stretch
asana =pose
How To Do Pyramid Pose: Step- by- Step
From Mountain Pose, step back into a High Lunge
Rotate your back leg outward by turning your back foot to a slight angle, between 45-90 degrees, and drop heel down
Work toward straightening your front leg
Press into the ball of the front foot to engage calf muscles, and press into the pinky toe edge of your back foot
Exhale as you fold over the front leg
Lengthen both sides of torso evenly
Take 5-10 breaths
Benefits
Stretches the glutes, hamstrings, and calves
Strengthens the legs
Variations
If you notice discomfort in the back leg, knee, or ankle, lift the back heel up as you would in a lunge position
If your front hamstrings feel tight, it is absolutely okay to bend the front knee or even bring your hands down to blocks
If you would like to increase stretch in calves, lift the toes and ball of foot up in the front foot
If you want to try a different variation in the chest and shoulders, try clasping opposite forearms behind you, or try reverse prayer position ( just remember to squeeze your shoulderblades together in these variations)
You can also regress this pose by dropping your back knee down and turning this position into Half Splits
try it in class
If you want to continue learning how to do Pyramid Pose, take these classes:
MOBILITY FLOW ON YOGA GLO WITH KATIE BAKI
FORWARD FOLDS FLOW ON YOGA GLO WITH KATIE BAKI