Powerful pose shifts focus to the upper body

If your yoga routine doesn’t currently emphasize working your upper body, add a few postures that do. This powerful yoga pose will help develop shape and build strength in your shoulders, biceps, triceps and core muscles.

-- Karen Voight

1 Start on all fours with your knees below your hips and your hands below your shoulders. Raise your buttocks high into the air, and press your thighs back until your legs are straight. Keep stretching your buttocks up as you lower your heels to the floor. Now shift your weight over your left leg and raise your right leg above hip level.

2 Keep your shoulders above your wrists as you slowly bend and lower your right knee to your chest. Round your back and pull your navel to your spine. Hold this position for three breaths, then return your leg up in the air, pause and lower to the floor. Repeat the pose raising your left leg.

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Karen Voight can be reached at kvoightla@aol.com.