Yoga Challenge of the Week: Fish Pose

For more advanced learners, adding asanas that challenge certain parts of the body can help better personalize a yoga session.

The asana of the week is Matsya-asana, also called the Fish Pose, and it is a great challenge for children who have flexible lower backs.

Benefits:

• refreshes the body and mind

• keeps abdominal organs healthy

Directions:

1. After warming up the body, or after a few rounds of some basic asanas, sit in Lotus Pose, with each foot raised onto the opposite thigh (modification: criss-cross the legs)

2. Lie flat on your back. Extend arms overhead. Lengthen your spine. This is Fish Pose 1. For the deepest stretch, make sure to press the thighs and knees to the floor and not loosen the folded legs.

3. Hold on to both your big toes and place your elbows on the floor. Arch your back and rest the crown of your head on the floor. While in this pose, imagine you are a fish. Your folded legs are your tail and bent elbows are your fins. This is Fish Pose 2