High Lunge

How to

1. Begin standing at the top of your mat with feet hip-width apart, arms resting by your sides.
2. Take a deep breath in, then exhale and step your left foot back about three to four feet, coming onto the ball of your back foot.
3. Bend your right knee directly over your right ankle, ensuring your knee does not extend past your toes.
4. Align your hips squarely forward, engaging your core muscles for stability.
5. Raise your arms overhead, palms facing each other, shoulders relaxed away from your ears.
6. Maintain a steady gaze (drishti) forward or slightly upward, keeping your neck long.
7. Hold the pose for several breaths, inhaling to lengthen the spine and exhaling to deepen the bend in the front knee.
8. To exit, lower your arms and step forward, returning to the starting position, then repeat on the other side.

Benefits

• Strengthens the legs, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves.
• Opens the hips and stretches the hip flexors, improving flexibility.
• Enhances balance and stability by engaging the core and lower body.
• Increases energy and invigorates the body through focused breath and alignment.
• Promotes mental clarity and focus, contributing to stress reduction.