Vakrasana

Preparation

Sit in Dandasana with a straight, upright spine, hands by your sides, legs extended forward, and feet together. Inhale, exhale, and relax as you prepare for Vakrasana.

Getting into position

Bend the right knee and place the center of your right foot beside the left knee. Bring the right arm behind the back and place the heel of your hand behind the tailbone. Hug the right knee with the left hand. Inhale. Exhaling, twist your chest and abdomen to the right by pulling your thigh to your abdomen. Keep spine straight. Inhaling, raise the left arm up. Exhaling, twist your torso farther to the right (bending slightly forward), lower the left arm over the outside the right knee (bringing left shoulder as close to right knee as possible), lift the front of your right foot, straighten the left arm (pressing your knee toward the left), and grab the inside of the right foot, and lower the right foot back to the floor. Inhale. Exhaling, twist the torso – including the chest and abdomen farther to the right, keeping the shoulders in alignment. Hold for a few moments to allow the body to adjust. Inhale. Exhaling, twist farther. Look over the right shoulder. Hold with normal breathing for around 30 seconds.

Coming out of position

Slightly relax the body. Exhale. Inhaling, slowly release the left arm and bring back to your left side. Bring the chest and abdomen back to the starting position. Bring the right arm back to your side, and straighten the right leg back to the starting position. Inhale, exhale, and relax. Repeat on the other side.