Upa means to go near, vistha means life, and kona means angle. This asana offers the ego, symbolized by the head, to go near the earth in a gesture of humility. The solar plexus, representing the will, is also offered, and your deep surrender begins a forward journey led by the heart.

A key focus of this pose is the bindu, which every pose has. This is a seed space in which the energy of a pose is rooted. Stillness births from here and connects to the expansion of consciousness. In this asana, the still point is between the pubic bone and the navel. From this deep space within, you offer your heart as the third eye meets the earth in its full expression. Your arms outstretch, creating an open heart. If you are able to reach to bind the big toe with the thumb and first finger, the pituitary is stimulated, connecting you into deeper states of meditation.

Upavistha Konasana helps maintain flexible hips and strengthens the nervous system. Keep your breath calm and steady as you discover the personal edge of the posture. Be careful not to strain or push too much into this pose; instead, allow your body to relax and release. Maintain a focused gaze to the earth, accepting wherever you are in this asana. It is a journey, not a destination! The gaze to Mother Earth guides you into dhyana, or meditation, one of the eight limbs of yoga.