A Poem for Extended Side Angle Pose

an invitation to be present with your body and say "yes" to life

Artwork by Anthony.

In the poem, “Extended Side Angle Pose,” I did not have the immediate metaphor of a crow, cat, cow, dolphin or dog, but I did have the feeling of the pose and what it felt like to extend myself, open myself, feel vulnerable and breathe with stretchy relief.

"In asana practice we learn to cherish each breath,

to cherish every cell in our bodies.

The time we spend on the mat is love in action”

— Rolf Gates

I hope this poem serves you well however it lands with you — whether you are a yoga teacher, on your yoga journey, or just a fellow sensitive soul. Please do share it with anyone whom you think could use some encouragement and permission to say yes to themselves today.

Extended Line Angle Pose artwork by The Little Ones Collective

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Extended Side Angle Pose 

By Corie Feiner


In the morning I remind myself
to raise my arms up then out 

and yawn like that dog who does so 
with complete abandon, 

every cell of my body joining together
to say, Yes, I am awake.

In extended side angle pose, I stabilize 
my legs, lengthen my spine, feel a deep 

stretch from my fingers to my heels,
and sigh. 

In the past, extending myself meant 
taking on more than I could, 

and saying yes, not to life, but to anyone 
and anything but myself. 

Here, to extend myself means to unlock 
the cage of my ribs which have held 

the prisoner of my breath for too many years 
and to release it.  Declare, Wake up. 

And dare to feel. Feel it all. 



Sanskrit Name: Utthita Parsvakonasana 

The inspiration you seek

is already inside you,

be silent and listen.

– Rumi

Paid subscribers can access audio here.

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To Learn More About Extended Side Angle Pose

I am excited collaborate, again, with fellow Substack yoga mama writer, Jacquie Bullard, who created this inspiring post about Extended Side Angle Pose on her Substack Urban Yoga Mama.

Jacquie of the Urban Yoga Mama being… well… an urban yoga mama.

And also, Janine Agoglia, author of the Substack Yoga Living 50 & Beyond created this thorough and informative tutorial for Extended Side Angle.

Janine showing us how to practice Extended Side Angle Pose.

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In addition, you can also learn more about the delicate challenges of this pose by reading Michele Maize’s Substack post about Extended Side Angle Pose on her Substack The Maize.

Michele Maize in Extended Side Angle Pose.

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Here are three poems for you for poses that are often practiced before and after Extended Side Angle Pose.

I have removed the paywalls for you to read them here:

A Poem for Warrior II

A Poem for Peaceful Warriors

A Poem for Triangle Pose

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