Parivrtta Anjaneyasana (twisted high lunge)

Parivrtta Anjaneyasana (twisted high lunge)

To do this pose:

Come to a downward facing dog. Extend one leg up behind you and take a step forward with it between your two hands, grounding that foot with your toes facing forward. Keep your back heel up, ground through your front foot and once you find your center, bring your upper body up and reach your arms up over your head, bending deeply into your front leg. Hold your high lunge position for a moment. Once you’re ready, twist from your navel over your shoulder, the same shoulder as the front leg, bringing the opposite arm forward and the other arm back. From there, relax your front hand down to the earth, reaching your other arm up to the sky. 

How this pose is especially beneficial for nurses: 

• It provides gentle massage to the abdominal organs, stimulating digestion. This is great for after a long shift, whether or not you go to eat, without taking it too far as with deep twists. 
• It tones the muscles in the hips, abdomen, chest, shoulders, legs, and the back, but also stretches them at the same time. This pose is another one that strengthens and lengthens the muscles at the same time providing much deeper stimulation. When looking for a gentle, full body pose after a long shift or to wake up before one, twisted high lunge is a great option!