Urdva Dhanurasana Rabbit Pose Place hands behind shoulders before pressing up into bridge pose. Come up onto head, draw shoulders on to back, curl under, then press up with hands into full pose. Benefits Good for rounded shoulders and back. Aids respiration. Improves energy. Opens heart. Strengthens arms, shoulders and wrists. Makes back flexible. What it looks like Rainbow Pose A wheel, a rainbow, a tunnel, a magic portal through an invisible door in the wall.
Begin in table position. Place hands on ankles, then arch the back and tuck head under. Place gentle weight on head. Benefits Stretches the back, arms and neck. What it looks like A rabbit, a butter ball, a bomb, a seed.
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana prep Begin in table position. Bring one knee forward and extend back leg out, activate back leg. Extend up. Bow forward. Switch sides. Benefits Opens the hips. Stretches the legs. Opens the heart. What it looks like Someone crawling on the ground, a seal, a pigeon, ice skating.
Janu Shirsasana Begin sitting and bring one bent knee in and extend other leg out. Draw in with the inner thighs and extend out through the feet. Extend forward and bring chest to thigh. Benefits Stretches and strengthens hamstrings. Tones kidneys and liver. Heart is at rest. What it looks like Branches, an arrow.
Virasana and Supta Virasana Begin by kneeling. Bring legs and feet slightly out to the side of the leg, toes pointing straight back, then gently sit back as far as comfortable. Make ankles and toes active. Benefits Removes fatigue. Stretches quads and thighs. Relieves stomach problems. Calms the mind. Encourages deep Hero Pose breathing and a rested heart. Good for the knees. Opens the chest. What it looks like Somebody who is tired and wants to take a nap, a frog king, a smiling fish, a heart.
Ardha chandrasana From triangle pose, bend right knee and take a small step with left foot. Balance on right foot, extend left leg out. Right hand is on the floor, left hand extends upward. Try looking at fingertips. Half–Moon Pose Benefits Good for legs and lower spine. Strengthens core. Develops balance. Opens pelvis. What it looks like A moon, a wheel, a merry go round, scissors.
Prasarita Padottanasana Spread legs wide, feet and toes pointing forward. Bend forward, palms down on the floor. Can do “windmills” with one hand on the floor and the other extended, twisting from the navel area. Benefits Develops hamstrings and inner thighs. Calms the mind and removes fatigue. What it looks like A tunnel, a mountain, going down a well to fetch water, a windmill.
Garudasana Begin standing in mountain pose, tadasana. Entwine left leg over the right leg. Extend left arm out, then cross right arm over it. Bend the elbows and entwine the two together and bring hands together. Release and fly out like an eagle. Reverse sides. Benefits Strengthens ankles. Stretches the shoulders. Removes cramps in calves. What it looks like A bird flying, twisted noodles.
DEMON POSE Bhujapidasana Come into a squat and place the hands on top of the feet. For variation, place hands on floor, shrug the shoulders and melt the heart. Keep the arms and hands strong as you squeeze with the inner thighs and lift off, balancing on the hands. Benefits Strengthens hands and wrists. Creates strong abdominals. Develops the leg and arm muscles. What it looks like Good for antagonist characters, demons, dragons, silly or scary creatures, tricksters.
COBRA POSE Bhujangasana Begin lying flat on stomach, hands back by the base of the breastbone. Uncurl toes and press into floor. Bring energy to the legs. Inhale up, shoulders on the back. Hiss like a snake. Benefits Cobra Pose Good for strengthening the back and spine. Expands the chest. What it looks like A snake, a piece of rope, a walrus.
