Vasisthasana – Side Plank Pose

Improving balance and building strength are two reasons why yoga is such a fantastic complement to climbing. This challenging arm balance incorporates both of these elements by building core, arm, wrist, and shoulder strength while also developing balance. Side Plank pose is accessible to yogis on all levels due to a wide variety of modifications that can be taken.

To come into Side Plank Pose, begin in Downward Facing Dog. Roll forward to Plank Pose, bringing the feet together to touch. Shifting your weight to the right hand, roll the body over onto the outside edge of the right foot, keeping the feet stacked. Extend the left arm towards the sky and imagine lifting out of the right wrist and pressing the mat away. The hips will stay lifted so that the ankles, hips, and shoulders are in one straight line. You can switch to the other side by transitioning back through plank pose.

To modify the pose to make the balance more accessible, feel free to come down on the right knee and shin or take the top foot behind you to act as a kickstand.

To add an element of difficulty to this pose, you can lift the top leg or take it a step further and bring the lifted leg into tree pose. You can also bend the left knee and grab the left big toe with your first two fingers of the left hand. From there, you can begin to straighten the left leg, working towards bringing the leg perpendicular to the floor.

Vasisthasana is a challenging pose. Don’t hesitate to modify the pose