Natarajasana with a Yoga Strap

This variation of Dancer stretches the shoulders, chest and hip flexor magnificently! Using the resistance created through the arms and shoulders pulling them way from the foot and leg, lengthens so many muscles, all while trying to balance. It’s very much like dancing when we aim to stay on our feet, but sometimes let ourselves fall to get up again, laugh it off, and try again.

Take a long yoga strap or anything else just as strong, take the half-way point to the floor and then step the ball of your right foot on it. As you hold one end of the strap in each hand, switch, and create a crossing over the top of your foot. Now comes the fun part. Take your back leg, the left foot and step over the crossing and a few inches in-front of the right strapped foot. Now bend your right knee and send your arms and foot up. Begin with the knee pointing down and the floating foot low and by the backside. Once stable, through the strength of the inner thigh, send the foot towards the ceiling and back away from the arms. Try it with the arms straight and also with the elbows bend, and in both versions, making sure your arms are in line with your ears and shoulder blades are reaching together and down to the tailbone. Remember to breathe as you find stability in Dancer Pose, for one to ten breaths. Thanks Andrea O’Connorfor teaching me this wonderful version of Natarajasana!