Half Hanumanasana (half split pose)

Half Hanumanasana (half split pose)

To do this pose:

Come to a downward facing dog. Lift one leg up and behind you and take a step forward with that foot. Plant the front foot and relax your back knee down to the ground in a low lunge position. Push your weight back to your back leg, straightening through the front leg and flex the front foot. You can keep your hands on the ground or use blocks to help keep yourself up. Relax your upper body over that leg and breath. 

How this pose is especially beneficial for nurses: 

• It stretches the low back. This pose can offer a light and gentle low back release for people who may not be as flexible as others and can’t bend all the way forward. This helps protect your back from injuries in the future but also helps with ongoing pain. 
• It opens the hips in a way that improves range of motion. When doing this pose, it’s important to bend from the hips and not the low back (like every pose) so that your hips are getting a good opening and stretch. Holding this pose can help improve your range in your hips which makes you less prone to injury in the future! 
• It lengthens the spine and relaxes the mind. The elongation of the spine as you bend from the hips and reach your upper body forward helps to relax your mind and body and even stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system. This helps you relax further and further after a long day.