The 26 postures of Bikram Yoga

Utkatsana: Awkward Pose

We just stretched, now we strengthen

BENEFITS:

• Improves overall body strength
• Opens pelvis
• Strengthens and tones left muscles
• Relieves menstrual cramping
• Tones buttocks
• Aligns skeletal system
• Good for arthritic knees
• Good for digestion
• Relieves joint pain in hips and knees
• Relieves sciatica
• Improves flexibility in toes and ankles
• Exercises liver, intestines and pancreas

TIPS:

• Remember this posture is not only about leg strength, focus on working the arms by keeping the biceps and triceps flexed through all three parts.
• Also maintain a lift and sense of firmness through the abdomen throughout
• Imagine that you will eventually bring the shoulders to be above the hips in the first part
• Maintain a flat lower back in 2nd and 3rd parts