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3. Utkatsana: Awkward Pose

We just stretched, now we strengthen.

Benefits
  • Improves overall body strength
  • Opens pelvis
  • Strengthens and tones left muscles
  • Relieves menstrual cramping
  • Tones buttocks
  • Aligns skeletal system
  • Good for arthritic knees
  • Good for digestion
  • Relieves joint pain in hips and knees
  • Relieves sciatica Improves flexibility in toes and ankles
  • Exercises liver, intestines and pancreas

Tips
  • Remember this posture is not only about leg strength, focus on working the arms by keeping the biceps and triceps flexed through all three parts
  • Maintain a lift and sense of firmness through the abdomen throughout Imagine that you will eventually bring the shoulders to be above the hips in the first part
  • Maintain a flat lower back in 2nd and 3rd parts