Pigeon Crescent Pose

A lovely variation on Pigeon Pose is Pigeon Crescent.  This pose majestically opens up the hips and facilitates concentrated breath work.  This pose is one of my favorites to end a Hip Opening Class with.  Pigeon Pose and it's variations are especially beneficial for ladies, as many women tend to be tight in this region.  How to safely come into this pose is as follows:

• Begin in Downward Dog, inhale and extend right leg to the sky in one legged dog, bend the right knee and sweep it through to rest beside your right hand. Left leg is extended flat while hips are squared.  Exhale.
• Inhale, Bend your left knee, reach for your left foot with your right hand and place it in the crook of your left elbow.
• Keeping the left foot in the crook of the elbow, raise your right arm overhead and reach to touch your fingers/clasp hands with your left & right hand. Exhale.
• Arch slightly into the pose, open the chest and maintain the weight of the torso over your hips.
• Hold the pose for 3 - 5 breaths and feel the bliss resonating in your body!
• Release hands, exhale and extend left foot back, prostrate forward and slowly step your right foot back into Downward facing Dog.
• Repeat on the other side.