Natarajasana

Find out more about this dancer asana for your wellness work

1. YOGA FOR HEALTH Moira Khouri NC MH HHP CCP RYT   INTRO TO NATARAJASANA Also commonly known as The Dancer, this is a lovely asana that expresses the joy of Spring returning. Natarajasana is easier to master than it looks . This beautifully elegant and powerful asana encourages the development of mental strength and focus, development of intuitive senses, of strength, balance and gracefulness. When you master this asana you’ll feel a sense of lightness .

2. DOING NATARAJASANA Begin in standing pose with your feet less than hip width apart; inhale and draw your shoulders up and back to open your chest. Inhale and exhale slowly several times and find your center. Draw in the core muscles and hold to create stability and strength. Planting both feet firmly, begin to draw the right leg back, reaching back with the right arm to hold the foot or toes and begin to draw it higher, arching your back to create fluidity in the asana. Let go of the foot and reach both arms upward in an elegant stretch. Breathwork is key to sustaining this asana, so focus on your breath, relax on the exhale, stretch and reach upwardly on the inhale. Feel the relaxation initiated by the steady flow of your breathing. As you relax into the pose, check in with yourself for misalignments to correct and improve balance. Repeat the asana on both sides. To come out of the asana slowly lower your arms to your sides as you lower your foot to the floor. Drop gently down into Child’s Pose for a few precious breaths, then roll over and assume Savasana (Corse pose) and enjoy the gentle relaxing benefits of Natarajasana.

3. HEALTH BENEFITS Encourages openness and fluidity, restores ability to balance gracefully, and the faith in yourself to attain the balance. Opens up arms, shoulders, chest, back and legs; induces a sense of peace and grace, and total body lengthening and strengthening. http://yogaflavoredlife.com Asana Paintbrush Artwork by Charlotte Bradley http :// www.readingforwellness.com/wellness-author-moira-j-khouri.html