Stand Up Paddle Yoga - High Lunge Pose

written by Lauren Peterson

SUP Yoga expert Lauren Peterson of Namaste SUP teaches us the 'Ashva Sanchalanasana' or 'High Lunge Pose'. Follow along below and give it a try this weekend on your stand up paddleboard. Taylor Henderson shows us the final step in the High Lunge Pose on her stand up paddleboard.

Check out last week's SUP Yoga pose

Name of Pose: Ashva Sanchalanasana / High Lunge Pose

Difficulty Level: Easy

Body Points: Stretches the groin, psoas and quadriceps.

Benefits: The high lunge pose strengthens the legs and arms.

Instruction:

• Step 1   Step 2   Step 3

  There are many ways to come into this posture on your stand up paddleboard and one way is to come into the posture from a downward facing dog pose.
• Lift your right leg, bringing your knee through the mid-line of the body on the inhale.
• On the exhale, plant your right foot onto the stand up paddleboard.
• It is also possible to inch your toes forward to get into the full pose.
• With toes lining up with finger tips and knee tracking right above the heel, make sure the knee never goes over the heel or past the feet.
• Find length in the pose on the inhale, reaching out through the crown of the head as well as out through the tail bone.
• Another variation is to bend into the back leg, in this case your left leg, for more stability.
• To come out of the posture, push down through the hands and lift the right leg back up to return into the downward-facing dog pose.
• Repeat for other side by lifting left leg.

This pose strengthens the arms and legs and is a great way to integrate another pose into a series.

About Lauren Peterson
Lauren has an associate’s degree in Dance Technology, a bachelor’s degree in Dance and a master’s degree in Physical Education. She is a certified Purna Yoga Instructor from Byron Yoga Centre, Australia.

After falling in love with stand up paddling in 2008, Lauren created Namaste SUP, a sup yoga community for the student, teacher and anyone who loves stand up paddling and yoga. When talking about her involvement within the SUP and Yoga communities, Lauren says, “I love to inspire and motivate individuals to live long and healthy lives through yoga, dance, physical education and stand up paddling.”

For more information on Lauren and Namaste SUP, check out the Namaste SUP Facebook page. Lauren also just launched a new website so go check that out as well at www.namastesup.com.

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