For Newbies and Veteran Yogis Alike: Essential Yoga Poses

Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana
English Translation: One Foot Extended Upwards Pose
Also Called: Standing Split

• From Mountain Pose, take a deep breath in and, as you exhale, come into a Standing Forward Bend.
• Shift weight onto your right foot and your palms and lift your left leg into the air. Tuck your chin and draw your torso toward your right leg, breathing deeply and relaxing the shoulders away from the ears.
• Stay here for five breaths. Then return your left leg to the floor. Stay here for a complete breath and then repeat this pose with the right leg lifted.

If this pose looks impossible, here are more details to help you get into Standing Split.