Fitness
This deep stretch is great for the hips.
Crescent lunge oranjaneyasana is a yoga pose that involves stepping one foot forward into a deep lunge.
The yoga posture also involves lifting your arms up overhead while leaning slightly back to form a crescent shape.
Its something that would feel extra good after a long day at a desk.
Want to give it a try?
Heres what to know about crescent lunge.
Start by standing up straight on your yoga mat.
Step forward with your left foot.
Bend your front knee until its directly above your ankle.
Extend your right leg back behind you with your knee slightly bent.
Lower your back knee towards the ground.
Leave your toes on your mat, but lift your heel up.
Reach your arms straight up toward the ceiling as you do a slight backbend.
Face your palms inwards.
Hold this pose for 30 to 60 seconds as you breathe.
Repeat on the other side.
To really test your balance, try reaching your arms overhead as you look up.
Its also key to keep your front knee directly over your front ankle rather than extended beyond it.
Since this is a tricky balance pose, Passalacqua says staying steady can be an issue.
That should give you a solid foundation so you’re free to truly enjoy your lunge.
Studies referenced:
Gothe, NP.
(2019).Yoga Effects on Brain Health: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature.
(2014).A systematic review of yoga for balance in a healthy population.
J Altern Complement Med.
Epub 2014 Feb 11.
PMID: 24517304; PMCID: PMC3995122.
