Standing · intermediate

Extended Side Angle

Utthita Parsvakonasana

A long diagonal line from the back heel to the top fingertips — a working pose that looks like a stretch.

Extended Side Angle Photograph coming soon

A rigged MakeHuman figure animated into Extended Side Angle from this guide's own alignment cues — not a photo or scan of a real instructor. Same avatar as Mountain Pose and Downward Dog; the clip enters from Mountain Pose, holds with a visible breath, and releases back — with the stance solved so the back leg stays straight while the front knee bends, with the contacts solved onto one floor plane on every frame. Built with MPFB2 from the MakeHuman community CC0 system assets.

How to do it

  1. From Warrior II, bring the front forearm to the front thigh, or the hand to a block outside the foot.
  2. Reach the top arm over the ear to make one line from back heel to fingertips.
  3. Turn the chest open toward the ceiling.
  4. Press the back foot down firmly.

Why it helps

  • Strengthens the front leg through a deep range
  • Lengthens the side body and inner thigh
  • Opens the chest and shoulder

Common mistakes

  • Leaning weight into the front thigh with the forearm.
  • Letting the chest rotate toward the floor.

Before you try it

  • Gaze forward rather than up with neck issues.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you're working with an injury, a health condition, or you're pregnant, check with a doctor or physical therapist and tell your teacher before class.

Make it easier

  • Forearm on the thigh instead of hand to floor.
  • Block under the bottom hand.
  • Shorter stance.

Where this pose shows up

Styles iyengar power

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