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Crescent Lunge | Anjaneyasana
Crescent lunge is a great pose for strengthening the arches, ankles, knees, and thighs. It opens the chest while also stretching the hips and shoulders. This pose also helps increase endurance.
Sanskrit: anjaneyasana
Drishti: forward or upward through fingertips
Counterpose: downward facing dog
Materials
- yoga mat
Instructions
- Start in downward facing dog.
- Inhale, step your right foot forward into a lunge, keeping your back leg straight. Engage your leg muscles and keep your back foot flexed.
- Exhale lift your torso up and stretch arms overhead, bringing palms together. Lengthen your neck and press your head back to bring shoulder blades more onto your back for a slight back bend.
- Hold for several breaths and repeat on the other side.
Notes
Variations: keep your back straight for a gentler variation. For more stretch, deepen your back bend and gaze up toward the fingers. You can also bring the back knee down on the floor for more stability. Another variation is to change hands to prayer position or eagle hands.
Preparatory poses: humble warrior, runner's lunge, warrior 3
Follow-up poses: crescent lunge twist, runner's lunge, pyramid