Today’s suggested pose is Hanumanasana or Monkey Pose.
To see someone practice this pose fully, you may think: cheerleader. But, it is not. It is complex in its set up and execution. You keep the hips drawn toward an equal plane as you use the strength and flexibility of your legs muscles to extend the front leg hamstrings and the back leg psoas. The ribs lift off the pelvis while the chest remains broad and the cervical spine is in line with the rest of the spine.
Preparatory work is required to practice this pose, such as hamstring and quadricep stretches. The modification poses are necessary preparation. They stand alone as poses that are just as beneficial as the full hanumanasana while being accessible to most every body.
Vanarasana ~ Lunge Pose
Ardha Hanumanasana ~ Half Monkey Pose
Practice vanarasana or lunge pose and then ardha hanumanasana or half monkey pose. The first pose stretches the back leg psoas muscles while the second pose with the lengthened front leg offers a stretch to the hamstrings. Consider the work of your adductor muscles located on the medial side or inner thighs. Engaged adductors stabilize and strengthen the hips. In both poses, keep your chest lifted. The use of blocks helps you keep this openness as well as a lift in the side body.