Lizard pose - Utthan Pristhasana

Lizard pose is a great pose for stretching and opening the hips. It has an energising effect and it’s a great confidence booster.

1. Start in down dog.
2. Inhale and life your right leg back and up
3. Exhale and bring it into a lunge outside of your right hand.
4. Bring your left knee to the mat or keep balanced on your left tip toes.
5. Inhale and bring the forearms down to the mat or to yoga blocks
6. Exhale and sink in deeper, toward the ground feeling that deep stretch to your right leg.
7. Bring your neck slightly up and keep your eyes forward.
8. Stay in this pose for a few deep breaths then come up onto your left toes and gently lift yourself up on your hands, bringing the right leg back into down dog.
9. Repeat the same movements for the left leg.

 
Mental benefits:
Releases nervous tension
Energy booster
Opens the chest and improves deep breathing
 
Physical benefits:
Stretches the hips
Strengthens the legs
Strengthens the spine and back muscles
Strengthens the arms
 
Contraindications: (consult this pose with your general medical practitioner if you have the following)
Knee injury
Shoulder injury
Back/spinal injury

Lizard pose variation