Strength
Chair Pose
utkatasana
About the Pose
Chair Pose is a powerful standing posture that builds heat, strength, and stamina. It involves sitting back as if into an imaginary chair, deeply engaging the leg and core muscles.
How to Practice
- Start in Mountain Pose (Tadasana).
- On an inhale, sweep your arms overhead. On an exhale, bend your knees and sink your hips back and down, as if sitting in a chair.
- Keep your chest lifted and your spine long.
- Shift your weight into your heels. You should be able to see your toes if you look down.
- Draw your navel in towards your spine to engage your core.
Purpose & Benefits
- Strengthens Legs: Tones the thighs, ankles, and glutes.
- Builds Core Strength: Engages the core to stabilize the torso.
- Opens Chest and Shoulders: When arms are lifted, it stretches the upper body.
- Energizing: Builds internal heat and increases heart rate.