Parighasana

Parighasana (Gate pose)

By Jagadisa-devasri – New York – Photo by Carol Dragon http://www.caroldragon.com/

When I practice parighasana I enjoy the experience of deeply twisting – lengthening the spine – while opening the heart to the heavens. The experience of resting the torso over the extended leg is simultaneously invigorating while allowing me to slip into bliss-filled quietude. When i first began to approach this “pretzel” pose, I was surprised how accessible it was with all its fine details: holding on, twisting, lengthening out, lifting up, not falling over, and of course, breathing. From my experiences, I can understand why the yogis of old named this the gate pose. Because it always make my physical and spiritual hearts feel much more open! OM.

Effect

• Stretches the sides of the torso.
• Relieves stiffness in the spine.
• Stretches the hamstrings.
• Opens the shoulders.
• Helps to improve respiratory problems.
• Stimulates abdominal organs, kidneys and lungs.

How to do Parighasana

• Sitting on your mat.
• Extend left leg wide to the side.
• Bend right knee and bring it towards the front.
• Place right foot next to the right hip.
• Inhale hands to waist with straight back.
• Take left hand, reach and take your right heel.
• Reach right hand over your head towards the outside of the right foot, take 5-10 breaths.
• Inhale sit up, bring hands to waist.