Appears in642 Workouts*

Extended Side-Angle Pose

Stretch, strengthen, and twist! Extended Side-Angle Pose opens your hips and chest while building core strength. A revitalizing yoga favorite!

The Extended Side-Angle Pose mainly works the quads and core, with help from the back. No equipment needed: it uses just your bodyweight.

Extended Side-Angle Pose demo video 2
Ms. Grey
JustGains_XX
@JustGains_XX

Optional Equipment

Yoga Mat
Yoga Mat

Extended Side-Angle Pose Muscles Worked

Primary

Quads (quadriceps femoris); Obliques

Secondary

Abdominals (rectus abdominis); Lats (latissimus dorsi)

How to do the Extended Side-Angle Pose

  1. Begin in a standing position on your yoga mat with your feet approximately 3 to 4 feet apart.

  2. Turn your right foot out 90 degrees so your toes are pointing to the top of the mat and pivot your left foot inwards about 45 degrees.

  3. Inhale and raise your arms to shoulder height, parallel to the floor, palms facing down.

  4. As you exhale, bend your right knee to form a 90-degree angle, ensuring your knee is directly over your ankle.

  5. Inhale and extend your torso to the right, directly over the right leg. Exhale as you tilt the torso from the hips, bringing the right arm down to rest on your right thigh, shin, or the floor outside your right foot.

  6. Stretch your left arm up towards the ceiling, creating a straight line with the right arm. Gaze toward your left hand or look straight ahead, depending on your neck comfort.

  7. Keep your chest open, spine long, and work on rotating your torso toward the ceiling. Engage your legs and core to maintain stability.

  8. Hold the pose for several deep breaths, focusing on lengthening the spine with each inhalation and deepening the twist with each exhalation.

  9. To release, inhale as you press firmly through your feet, straighten the right leg, and lift your torso to an upright position. Lower your arms to your sides.

  10. Repeat the pose on the left side, reversing the position of your feet and following the same steps.

Remember to maintain deep, even breaths throughout the pose and modify the pose as necessary to accommodate your flexibility and comfort level.

---

Extended Side-Angle Pose FAQs

What muscles does the Extended Side-Angle Pose work?

The Extended Side-Angle Pose mainly works the quads and core, with help from the back. The main muscles are the quadriceps femoris and obliques.

What equipment do you need for the Extended Side-Angle Pose?

None. The Extended Side-Angle Pose is a bodyweight exercise, so you can do it anywhere.

What are some Extended Side-Angle Pose variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Ardha Matsyendrasana Pose, Bird of Paradise Pose Svarga Dvijasana, Eight Angle Pose and Ing Lizard Pose Utthan Pristhasana Fly.

Training calculators

Work out the numbers behind your training before your next session.