Standing Head To Knee Pose How To

Standing Head to Knee Pose, also known as Dandayamana Janushirasana, is a very challenging pose for me! It's really the one I dread when I'm in Bikram. Shhhh! But more importantly, it's the pose I respect the most, mainly for its benefits and because it gives me a good goal to work towards each and every single time I practice. 

This pose starts out with you standing on your left leg and holding your right foot in your hands. Your standing left leg should be stick straight. "If the standing leg is bending, the posture has not started!" Once it is stable, your interlocked fingers should lift the right foot at a 90 degree angle, parallel to the ground, your other knee should be locked. Your back should be rounded, stomach sucked in, arms straight, and you should be breathing in and out through the nose only. Once you are stabilized, elbows go below the knees, chin to the chest. If you can hold it, your forehead touches the knee! It is truly a pose that orchestrates a full mental and physical connection. This pose is held for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Whew!

Here are some of the benefits:

• Improves mental concentration and focus

• Increases flexibility and strength in the biceps, hamstrings, back, and abs

• Stretches your spine while flushing out the organs

• Helps with weight loss and detoxification