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Today's Daily Tip

Bridge to Presence

One of the best postures for awakening the senses to the here and now is Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose), a ... (continued)

The Secret to Better Arm Balances?

Think relaxation, not strength.

By Jason Crandell

MARICHYASANA I (Marichi's Twist I)

To start, get in a seated position. Straighten your left leg and bend your right knee until your calf and thigh touch, with the shin perpendicular to the floor. Place your right foot in line with your sitting bone. Extend your right arm inside your right thigh and hold the inside of your left foot (use a belt if you need to). Momentarily open your right thigh to the side as you lift and lengthen your right side. Then squeeze your right thigh against your ribs. Slide your armpit down your shin as far as you can with ease, allowing your back to gently dome. Keep squeezing your knee into your side so there's little or no space between your armpit and shin. Wrap your right arm around your shin, sweep your left hand around your back, and bind the hands together (or use a belt). Gently draw your lower abdomen toward your spine and deepen the forward bend. Feel the hip opening that will help with Bakasana. Take 5 to 10 long, smooth cycles of breath before you switch sides.

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Reader Comments

Linda Neiman	Excellent Article on all levels
Reena	I have been practicing and teaching yoga forever! My attempts at arm balances were boosted when I began using the bandhas. I really did at least one of the three bandhss for fun each time I practiced. They eventually became "assistants" to any inversion pose! Thanks so much for all your written support!
pyro	"maala" is the word for garland and completely different from "mala". Malasana means the pose which eases the passage of stools. Indian toilets have to be used sitting in malasana; without the forward bend :)