Natarajasana
Koning van de Dans Houding | Lord of the Dance Pose

Chest opener
Shoulder stretch
Quadriceps stretch
Abdominal muscle stretch
Hip opener
Strengthens back, legs and ankles
Improves balance & concentration
Contra-indications:
Knee, hip, shoulder, back and neck injuries
GETTING INTO THE POSE
From tadasana spread the toes and put the weight on the right leg.
Bend your left leg and grab hold of your knee.
Pull up your kneecap of the right leg and feel your thigh muscles tighten.
Keep your hips parallel to the floor and grab the left ankle with your left hand.
Bring the bent knee down so that it is in line with the straight knee.
Bring the sitting bones towards the back of the knees to make space in the lower back, you will now also feel the abdominal muscles tighten.
Bring the sternum up and forward as you straighten your bent knee and push the ankle into the palm.
Bend over slightly while raising your left foot.
Grab with your right hand in front of your chest the left foot.
Release your left hand and reach under your right arm.
Raise the palm of the left hand upwards and grasp your left foot on the side of the little toe.
Release the foot with the right hand and bring the chest back to the front of the mat.
Raise the left elbow
Reach the right hand up and then back to grasp the left foot.
Push the foot into the hands and up as you extend the sternum forward. Make sure your standing leg is straight and active.
Gaze is in front of you or slightly up.
BREATH
Inhale: feel the chest expand
Exhale: let go
GETTING OUT OF THE POSE
Release the foot and gently bring it to the mat next to your standing foot. Come back to tadasana and repeat on the other side or continue to uttanasana.
PREPARATORY POSES
Dhanurasana | Bow pose
Ustrasana | Camel pose
Virabhadrasana III | Warrior III pose
SUBSEQUENT POSES
Uttanasana | Standing forward fold
REPLACEMENT POSES
Dhanurasana | Bow pose
Ustrasana | Camel pose
Virabhadrasana III | Warrior III pose
Natarajasana with strap | Fasten the strap to your foot or ankle and hold with your hands
Natarajasana with wall | Lean against a wall with your shoulder to help with balance