After a wake up & stimulation of the central nervous system (in Half Moon Pose), the awkward pose fires up the muscles by working and strengthening through the legs, abdominals and arms. ⠀ ⠀ As well as muscle toning, the awkward pose aims to compress and stimulate the joints of the hips, knees and ankles which helps encourage circulation and mobilization for the class ahead. ⠀ ⠀ By not moving the feet at all and by simply changing the focus point of where the body weight in our feet is held, we move the strengthening effects from the hamstrings & glutes to the quads, and then finally to the inner thighs.⠀ ⠀ During all 3 segments of this pose, we keep the abdominal muscles contracted, as well as the muscles in both arms... this can be tricky but possible with solid concentration & focus. ⠀ ⠀ Still considered a warm up pose, the awkward pose gives an added joint mobilization which makes a perfect prep for the next posture ...the eagle! ⠀ ⠀ Speaking of perfect prep- the mental strength required to hold the posture precisely and to your maximum physical capacity is a tremendous training that is useful not only for the class ahead, but especially the balancing series which follows the warm up!⠀