Yoga Seated Poses: Intense West Stretch

Video Transcript

"Paschimottanasana, intense west stretch. It's one of the poses that we're going to extend both legs. But to keep the comfort of your lower back, or to keep your hinging forward, it might be a good idea to bring yourself so that you're sitting up. You can either roll your mat up, or you can find some pillows to sit on, just so that you can slightly lift your hips, or hips high. We're going to lengthen through the balls of your feet, so that your feet are very active. We're going to press as we did in Dandasana staff pose, so that we have lots of length in your spine. We need to create length from the inner groins, and length on the outside of your legs. Our inhale is going to reach the arms up; creating length in both sides. As we exhale, we need to lean, or hinge from your hips; lead with the sternum, and then you're just going to present yourself so you're either holding onto your toes. It's also one of the places that most of us need to use a strap here. Using your breath to relax your shoulders; to relax the pose so that you keep folding forward. It's one place that you really need to use your breath. You really need to give attention into not ignoring the body's intelligence for the glory of the pose. We're getting a wonderful stretch in the backside of your legs, all the way through your lower back, all the way up your spine."