June 2009 Posture Video: Dancer’s Pose

June’s posture of the month is Dancer’s Pose, also known as Natarajasana or Lord of the Dance Pose (hello Michael Flatley!)

(not-ah-raj-AHS-anna)

*Benefits of this Posture Include:

Stretches the shoulders and chest

Stretches the thighs, groins, and abdomen

Strengthens the legs and ankles

Improves balance

**Makes you feel really freaking cool/awesome

 

*Benefits courtesy of Lord of the Dance Pose on Yoga Journal
**Benefit courtesty of me

I was SO excited when I discovered June’s posture of the month is Dancer’s Pose. This is truly one of my most favourite poses, and probably one of the most recognized yoga poses out there. A Google images search for “yoga” brings up several images of Dancer’s Pose.

The amazing thing about Dancer’s (as it is often referred to in class) is just how much is going on at the same time. It really requires focus, concentration, stability, core strength and of course, balance as you are ultimately doing a back-bend, kick-back and forward extension all while balancing on one leg (easy, no?!). Not to mention the fact that you feel like a beautiful and powerful Dancer (hence, the awesome-ness of it).

A defining moment for me in this pose came when I really listened to what the teacher was saying to “lift up” in this pose. To keep your eyes up and to elongate your body before beginning the pose really helped me be able to take this my body further into this pose and really begin to develop the beautiful shape that is recognized in this posture.

Beginners might want to practice near a wall to help with balance, or use a strap around your raised ankle to help get deeper into the pose and your own bliss.

Another amazing thing about this pose (and many poses in Yoga for that matter) is that they are continually evolving. Eventually with Dancer’s Pose (or so I am told) you should eventually be doing the splits in the air. I can’t wait to get to that level! I’ll keep you posted on my progress…

In the meantime, I’ll continue to focus and remember to relax, smile and to continue pushing and challenging my body in Dancer’s Pose to get the amazing benefits from this posture.

What are your favourite poses? What poses make you feel really freaking cool?

Video courtesy of Moksha Yoga