Revolved Chair (Parivrtta Utkatasana)
A Pitta-Pacifying Yoga Pose
Begin in Mountain Pose with your feet hip distance apart, toes turned slightly in. On an inhalation, bend the knees and come to sit in an imaginary chair, while lifting arms forward and overhead. On an exhalation, bring the palms together at the heart and lengthen your spine. On the next exhalation, twist from the lower abdomen to the right as you place the left elbow across the right thigh pressing the thigh into the left arm and the left arm into the right thigh. Take a few breaths before inhaling to rise back up to center and then take the twist to the left side.
Pitta Focus:
Contract and release the abdominal muscles as you breathe into the twist. Imagine the twist wringing out your insides of any excess heat or toxins.
Benefits:
Releases stagnation, increases flexibility in the spine, improves digestion, and strengthens the thighs and abdomen.