yoga tip-pose of the week

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Pose of the Week: Chair Pose (Utkatasana)

This week's fiery pose is sometimes called Thunderbolt Pose, partly because of the way it shapes your body into a bolt, and partly because the pose makes you feel like you're on fire. Besides heating the body and cleansing your system from the inside out, it also stimulates the abdominal organs, diaphragm, and heart. Here's how to try it: Stand with your feet together so that your big toes are touching. Take a deep breath in. As you exhale, bend down and touch the floor with your fingertips (or come as close as you can to the floor without lifting your heels). Then as you inhale, keep the hips as low as they are and raise the arms up in the air. Point the palms in toward each other and either bring them together or keep them at shoulder distance. Draw your shoulder blades down your back, sink a little deeper into your heels, and slow your breathing down. Take five to ten slow breaths, then release. This pose will leave you feeling strong and vital.