How to Do the Yoga King of the Dance Pose
The yoga king of the dance pose, or nataraja-asana in sanskrit, is based on the mythical dance of the God Shiva, who is also known as Nataraja or Lord of the Dance. The dance of Shiva is that which both creates and destroys the world, and the king of the dance pose will help to strengthen your balance and concentration while sculpting your hips and thighs, aligning your vertebrae and stretching your chest muscles.
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Instructions
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1
Stand with your feet together pressed firmly against the ground and rest you arms at your sides. Feel the length of your body and the strength of your legs, concentrating on balance and calm.
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2
Inhale slowly and deeply while bending and lifting your right leg behind you and raising your left arm up in front of you. Grasp your right ankle with your right hand, pressing your foot into your body and standing up straight.
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3
Exhale and extend your left arm in front of you as you extend your right leg behind you, still holding your ankle with your hand. Your left arm should be about 45 degrees from the floor while your leg is stretched as far as comfortable. Concentrate on your strength and balance, focusing your vision on one specific object to help you keep your balance.
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4
Hold the king of the dance pose while breathing slowly and deeply for about one minute before exhaling and releasing the pose, returning to the standing position.
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5
Repeat the king of the dance pose on the opposite side, performing the full pose two or three times.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you are comfortable with the king of the dance pose you can gradually begin to increase the time that the position is held.
