Standing Yoga Poses To Help Strengthen Your Ankles

In my last post I went through some seated yoga poses that help strengthen your ankles. Building on from this I thought I’d share a few standing poses that present a little more of a challenge.

Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

• From Mountain Pose bend your right knee and place the sole of your foot high up against the inner left thigh.
• Keeping your left leg straight breathe in and raise arms out by sides to shoulder level, palms facing up and breathe out.
• Stretch and extend your arms over your head and place the palms of your hands together. You should feel a nice stretch in your shoulder blades. Hold and breathe normally.
• Lower your arms down by your sides and bring your right foot to the floor.
• Repeat the posture on the other side.

 

Chair Pose:

• Starting in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) bend your knees and drop your hips bringing your weight onto your heels.
• Dropping your tailbone and keeping your front ribs in, lift your arms up shoulder width apart.
• Keeping your shoulders firm rotate your arms inward and gaze upward.
• Stay here for a few breaths then straighten your knees and relax your arms back in Tadasana.

 

Extended Side Pose:

• From Tadasana take feet 3 to 4 feet apart.
• Turn your right foot out at a 90 degree angle and your left at a 45 degree angle.
• Bend your right knee ensuring it is directly over your right heel.
• Inhale and raise your left arm to the ceiling then over your right ear.
• On the exhale put the palm of your hand flat on the floor by your ankle.
• Stay in the pose for a few breaths and then straighten your legs and come backup to standing. You can extend your arms to help maintain balance.