UTKATA KONASANA: GODDESS POSE

Goddess pose is an empowering, sensual and challenging yoga pose. Also called “yogi squat,” this pose will strengthen your whole body.

BENEFITS OF GODDESS POSE:

  • stretches the inner thighs and groin

  • strengthens the quads and glutes

  • strengthens the core

  • strengthens the upper body (when done with arms up)

  • benefits svadhisthana chakra (sacral chakra)

  • inspires sensuality and creativity - awakens the divine feminine energy

  • grounding

  • empowering

  • energizing

YOU CAN FIND THIS POSE IN THESE YOGA CLASSES.

CF30009F-1F52-4A84-A6BC-B3744E79DC32.jpeg
8B9E42DB-4248-4C4B-915D-4899E31C3542.jpeg

TRADITIONAL VARIATION

From Tadasana, step the feet wider than hip distance apart. Turn the toes out to 45 degrees. Press firmly into all four corners of the feet. Bend the knees and sink low in the hips. Try to get the knees to 90 degrees, and make sure the knees are stacked over ankles (my stance is just a tad short in the first photo). This will protect your knees from strain. Engage your core muscles, pulling the low abs and front ribs in. There are a lot of options for the arms here. You can choose to keep the hands on the hips. You could bring the hands together at prayer or you can take cactus arms (first photo) with the fingertips fanned and the arms active. Hold this pose for ten deep breaths or as long as you can ;)

To exit the pose, straighten the legs and step or hop the feet together.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:

  • knees over ankles

  • core engaged

  • sink lower than you think you can

5A5BD057-D813-457E-8CD4-2AC3DBB4E181.jpeg

CHAIR VARIATION

Doing this pose seated in a chair is still suuuper challenging! Sit at the edge of your seat and take the knees wide. Actively press into the feet. Feel the glutes and quads engage. Pull the navel in toward your spine. Knit the front ribs in. Keep the hands on your hips or together at prayer. For more challenge, take the arms up into cactus arms. Hold for ten deep breaths, then walk the feet back together.

520BB0F5-8472-4511-865D-5ABEC11F9E91.jpeg

ALTERNATE POSE: MALASANA

You may find malasana a bit less challenging, and it will help you to build strength and flexibility in the lower body. It offers all the same energetic benefits as Goddess pose.

DC4B23D7-7431-4008-9BF9-AB0B372CB9CB.jpeg

ALTERNATE POSE: SUPTA BADDHA KONASANA

Reclining bound angle pose will also stretch the inner thighs and groin and offers similar energetic benefits. If you actively press the soles of the feet together and engage the inner thighs, you’ll get some muscle conditioning in this pose as well.

HOW DID IT GO?

Click HERE to share your pose photos in the private Facebook group for the 21 Day Pose Challenge.

Santosha SpiritSTRENGTH, STRENGTHENING, CORE STRENGTH, GROUNDING, SACRAL CHAKRA, SENSUALITY, CONFIDENCE