A couple of weekends ago, I attended a workshop with the illustrious Bobby Clennell. Bobby wrote AND illustrated The Woman's Yoga Book: Asana and Pranayama for All Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
The moment I picked my new copy of her book, I felt a deep connection. Just like the moment I met Bobby, I felt a great connection with her. Bobby spent the weekend teaching us some of the basics of Iyengar Yoga including sessions on backbends and inversions. But she also taught a session on Breast Health as well as a session on Menopause. The session on Breast Health included many poses which open across the chest in addition to poses which stretch and activate the liver.
One pose that we explored as we entered and exited other standing poses was Utthita Hasta Padasana, Extended Hands and Feet Pose. This pose can be easily overlooked, but is an important pose because it helps us to measure correctly the distance our feet should be spread apart in standing poses. When you step or hop your feet apart your ankles should be below your wrists when your arms are spread wide apart. Additionally, this pose is beneficial for the breasts as it opens up the chest. As you extend your arms and draw your shoulderblades down and in toward the breastbone, feel the openness across the chest and space in the breasts.