Pose of the Month
Each month, Evolution Yoga will choose one specific physical and/or philosophical theme to weave into our classes so that we can continue to be active learners on the yogic path.
June’s pose of the month:
MALASANA, squat pose
Malasana is a grounding posture that tones the belly, makes the ankles more limber and provides a good stretch for the back, hips, groin, lower legs, chest and neck. Malasana offers a moment of rest during intense yoga sessions and an opportunity to experience stillness.
To enter the pose, stand with feet hips width apart and assume a squatting position with the feet turned slightly out. Press the hands evenly into one another at the heart (anjali mudra), with elbows pressing gently inside knees to open hips.
For a deeper expression of this stretch, extend your arms along the Earth as if in Child’s Pose (extended balasana) and bow your head. Feel a stretch from the pelvis reaching down toward the ground and the upper back spreading away; maintain this balance. Use your chest to continue lengthening forward and supporting the low back, otherwise this pose loses its relaxation.
If it feels right, next lift onto the finger tips remaining even in the opposite directions of energy flow and stretch.
Modified: If the heels don’t reach the ground in squat pose, stand on a rolled mat or folded blanket.
Advanced: Bring the feet together and wrap the arms around the shins, clasping the hands behind the back like a garland. Malasana means garland pose.
Follow with uttanasana, forward bend.