Arm Balances
Arm balance poses help build strength, increase body awareness, and sharpen focus. Side Plank strengthens the side waist, enhancing lateral balance and muscle tone. Besides the poses featured here, see also Crow Pose (Katasana) or Crane/Birdie Pose (Bakasana) in the Bird Poses Section, as well as Handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana), Forearm Balance or Feathered Peacock (Pincha Mayurasana) and Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana) in the Inversions section. In addition, the following poses also help build arm strength to help one’s body prepare for arm balance poses: Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Upward Facing Dog (Urdvah Mukha Svanasana) in the Dog Poses section, and Dolphin (Makarasana) in the Inversions section.
Jenny in Dolphin Plank (Makara Adho Mukha Svanasana) on the heli-pad at Durrand Glacier Chalet north of Revelstoke, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Dolphin Plank (Makara Adho Mukha Svanasana) in her garden in Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Plank Pose (Kumbhakasana or Uttihita Chaturanga Dandasana) amid the cairns along a trail on Mount Tzouhalem, Vancouver Island, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Plank Pose (Kumbhakasana or Uttihita Chaturanga Dandasana) near the summit of Mount Tzouhalem, Vancouver Island, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny doing Four-limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana) or Push-up, one of the key poses in Sun Salutations, on Abbot Ridge, Glacier National Park, B.C. This pose can be modified by placing the knees down and/or using the hands, forearms and elbows (as in Dolphin Pose) to take some of the weight of the body. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in an easier variation of Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana), albeit one that provides an amazing stretch for the hip muscles, at Botanical Beach, along the Juan de Fuca Trail, Vancouver Island, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) looking up, on Second Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington State (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) with the head in neutral position, along the trail to Goat Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) looking forward, on Royal Ridge near Talus Lodge, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) looking up, along the Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) with the gaze upward, above the Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) with the gaze and side body facing upwards, atop Paget Peak, Yoho National Park, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Reverse or Upward Table Pose (Ardha Purvottanasana), also known as “Crab Pose”, on the heli-pad at Durrand Glacier Chalet north of Revelstoke, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Reverse or Upward Plank Pose (Purvottanasana) on the heli-pad at Durrand Glacier Chalet north of Revelstoke, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
