Asana of the Month

Partner Parsvakonasana

by Kelly Fisher

When I think of yoga, I think of connection. It’s funny because yoga is a practice unique to each individual, but when one practices yoga, one often finds not only a deeper connection to oneself, but to his or her friends, and family, and community. Partner yoga is a deliberate attempt to connect with someone else.

I chose Partner Parsvakonasana, partner side angle stretch, as this month’s asana of the month because it is a great way to simultaneously challenge yourself with the playfulness of connecting to a friend. Partner Parsvakonasana will strengthen your legs and core, decompress your internal organs as your side body opens up, and you will get a sense of being grounded within yourself while offering support to your friend. In fact, being grounded within yourself, a sensation that involves steadiness, strength, and stamina, enhances your ability to be there for your friend.

One of the pitfalls of a long-term relationship is that we become so familiar with each other that we forget to communicate as friends. It becomes so comfortable to be around that person that we do not feel the need to use the four gates of speech any longer -- is it true? is it necessary? is it kind? is it timely? We start to just blurt out whatever comes across our minds without thinking how it will affect the other person. Practicing yoga together is a great reminder that your partner is not just a familiar person but a true friend, and that you can enjoy the process of co-creating together. Partner yoga postures become a dance in a way, where both participants have to want to be there, want to give and receive support, and want to play together. You practice communicating with each other in a healthy, positive way.

So for the pose:
Put two mats together end to end (there can be a slight overlap) to form one extra-long mat. Stand with your legs wide apart, both you and your friend facing the same direction. Turn the foot and leg closest to your friend outward to parallel the long side of your sticky mat. Your toes will be end to end and close if not touching. Your back foot will be parallel to the short side of your mat.

Inhale and feel the front, back, and both sides of your torso expand with breath and on your exhale bend your front leg. Energetically draw your feet in toward each other so that your inner thigh muscles charge up. Keep the lift in your torso as you extend over your bent leg. Move your lower forearm to your thigh but do not put a lot of weight there. Extend your upper arm outward right next to your ear until you and your partner can touch palms. Once you make that connection with your friend, on an exhale extend from the core of your pelvis down through both of your legs and into the earth and simultaneously extend out through your upper arm to solidify the joining of your hands.

Pressing into your partner’s palm will give you more power to extend through your legs and into the ground, which in turn gives you more power to extend into your partner’s hand again. This non-verbal communication is a delicious cycle of energy and support.

Each yoga pose you create is unique to you, the individual. And to co-create a partner yoga pose, you and your partner have to show up fully present and communicate in a healthy way in order to play together. The more you feel connected to yourself, the more you have to offer in relationship to your partner, and therefore your connection to your partner becomes all the better as well. On or off the mat, it is a beautiful and sweet way to celebrate life.

Capitol Hill Yoga provides the asana of the month feature to guide you in a safe and life affirming home practice. Grab a friend for inspiration in your home practice and then join Kelly & Erik for Yogis & Non-Yogis Unite: A Partner Yoga Workshop on Sunday, February 5 from 2:00-4:00pm.

Kelly teaches Advanced Yoga Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm & Open Yoga Fridays from 9:00-10:30am at CHY and co-teaches our Anusara Yoga Immersion.