FOCUS OF THE MONTH: August - Fish Pose aka Matsyasana

It’s hot out. Not a bad idea to bring the body down to the ground while opening the throat and heart and considering our connection to each other. We are one Body. Moving together through the world. Matsyasana has many benefits. This pose which is typically done as a counter pose to Shoulder Stand aka Sarvangasana. Fish Pose stretches your deep hip flexors and intercostals, relieves tension in your neck, throat, and shoulders, stretches and tones the front of your neck and your abdominals and stimulates the organs of your belly and throat.

To come into the pose, lay on your back, palms down, pull your palms and forearms along the ground behind you, draw your shoulder blades together as you lift your sternum to the sky and if possible come to the crown of your head. Be careful not to tax the neck. It may be easier to come into this with knees bent. Lengthen the legs slowly and allow the groin to soften. If this is easy you can consider drawing the arms along the ears to reach behind you to the ground. Come out of the pose the way you went into it.