Side PlankSave PDF
Vasishtasana
vah-seesh-TAH-sah-nah
Strengthens arms and core
Balances nervous system
Improves focus and balance
How to perform Side Plank
- Begin in Plank. Press your weight into your right hand. Carefully roll to your right, stacking your left foot on top of right.
- Rest your left hand on your left thigh with an exhale. Reach your hand toward the sky with an inhale, spreading your fingers wide. Lift your hips and keep your body in one diagonal line. Gaze toward the sky.
- Hold the pose and take slow, deep breaths.
- Lower your hand to the floor with an exhale. Change sides.
Alignment cues
- Spread fingers wide
- Align wrist under shoulder
- Stack heels
- Reach hips up
- Avoid arching back
Modification: Keep your hand on your thigh, gaze downward or rest your bottom knee on the floor.
Avoid this pose if you wrist or shoulder injury.
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More yoga poses to discover
Side Plank (Vasishtasana in Sanskrit) is an intermediate yoga pose that belongs to the balancing and core categories. This asana targets abs, biceps, obliques and shoulders, and also involves forearms and wrists muscles. Side plank balances nervous system; strengthens arms and core and also improves focus and balance. Refer to the illustration and instructions above for how to perform this posture correctly. Discover more yoga asanas and yogic breathing exercises in our free yoga pose directory – a visual resource for yoga teacher training students as well as practitioners of all levels. Finally, shop our best-selling Yoga Cards products!
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Discover our best-selling Yoga Cards – professional study, class sequencing and practice guide for beginners and beyond.
Studying to be a yoga teacher? Learn the essential yoga poses the easy way with Yoga Stacks app!
New to yoga? Our Yoga for Beginners pack covers everything you need to know to get started with your practice.
Personal trainer? Try Train - our beautifully simple training platform you and your clients will love.
