Upward Salute, Variation

Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Hastasana

Stretches the sides of the body, spine, shoulders, armpits, and belly
Tones the thighs
Improves digestion
Helps to relieve anxiety and fatigue
Helps create space in the chest and lungs, which aids healing of asthma and congestion
Properly aligns the spinal column
Helps protect the spinal muscles and nerves during other movements
Improves posture by creating space between the vertebrae
Helps to prepare the spine for deeper stretches and twists

As you inhale, sweep your arms out to the side and then up overhead, turning your arms so your palms face each other, fingertips reaching toward the ceiling
Straighten your arms completely, but do not lock the elbow joints
If your shoulders are tight, keep your arms as wide as your shoulders
If you can keep your arms straight without drawing your shoulders up, press your palms together
To learn how to straighten your raised arms without stressing your shoulders, loop and secure a Yoga strap around your upper arms, just above the elbows
Only press your palms together while your arms are overhead if you can keep your arms straight without drawing your shoulders up or letting your ribs poke forward
Maintain the alignment of Tadasana which include ears, shoulders, hips, and ankles in one line.

Maintain the alignment of Tadasana throughout the pose
Keep your shoulders over your hips, and your hips in line with your ankles
It is more significant to keep the alignment of your spine and ribs than to reach your arms very high
Only press your palms together while your arms are overhead if you can keep your arms straight without drawing your shoulders up or letting your ribs poke forward
If it’s difficult to straighten your arms when they’re overhead, bring your arms farther apart shoulder-distance or wider