Building Blocks: Dancer Pose

By Power Life

Dancer pose helps improve balance, flexibility, and concentration. Keep reading to learn the building blocks of this dynamic posture.

How to do it:

  • Bend your elbow to the side of your body, palm face up, eye of your elbow facing outward
  • Bend your knee and reach back to capture the inside arch of your foot
  • Bring your knees together to touch
  • Kick your foot into your hand to propel your chest forward and broaden your heart space
  • Square your hips forward toward the top edge of your mat
  • Keep your chest higher than your hips
  • Actively press the back of your lifted thigh towards the ceiling

Be mindful of:

  • Knee out to the side/hips open and not square toward the front of your mat
  • Internal rotation of the arm holding your back foot

Modifications:

  • Kick less vigorously to ease tension in your lower back
  • Bend your standing knee to create more stability

Why we love this pose:

  • Strengthens the standing leg
  • Improves balance and concentration
  • Stretches quads, hip flexors, chest and front of shoulders

Want hands-on instruction?

Find a class and let our expert instructors help you begin or deepen your yoga practice. A certified yoga instructor can help ensure proper alignment through gentle corrections (if you like), is happy to answer your questions before or after class, and can even help you focus by encouraging mindfulness throughout class. Finally, many students enjoy the physical touch of their instructors, and of course the community that we foster here at Power Life.

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About Kirk: 

Kirk was working 80-hour weeks and wearing his shoulders as earrings when he found yoga in 2005. Forever the competitive athlete, he loved the physicality of yoga. When the spiritual and philosophical side of yoga were exposed to him, Kirk was hooked. Yoga provided him with what other activities couldn’t -- the ability to foster the benefits of practice both on and off of the mat. Yoga was something that Kirk could bring into all aspects of his life. 

Kirk knows that yoga can be intimidating, so he crafts a class that is playful and inviting, while still being challenging and safe. His creatively planned classes build strength and flexibility in your body and mind while establishing clarity, giving you more confidence to overcome obstacles in your life, and keeping you injury-free. His classes are themed with a message that is relatable and will inspire you to take it with you off your mat. Kirk has been teaching yoga since 2008 and lead his first teacher training in 2012. Where Kirk truly shines is in coaching, developing and bringing out the best in others.  

Kirk enjoys traveling (40+ countries to date!), snowboarding, and cherishes time with his wife and two daughters. 

About Christen: 

Christen Bakken’s yoga journey began in 1998 in a Bikram studio that provided a safe and secure place to practice. She saw the yoga mat as a place to remember her purpose and a place to play. As she continued her studies and began her journey to teaching in 2006, Christen infused yoga classes with devotion and the yoga mat became a place of personal transformation and healing. Her classes are filled with laughter, song, sweat, and usually heart openers. In 2013, Christen began training yoga teachers. This is the place where she finds the most joy - in community with folks looking to grow and be of greater service in their homes, on their mats, and in the world. Over the years, she has led trainings in Denver, the Midwest, Florida, and now abroad. She has trained in continuing education modules, 200-hour, 300-hour, and 500-hour programs. Beyond the mat, Christen is a passionate adventure seeker - she loves to bike, snowboard, and spend time with her husband and pups. She sees each day as a blessing and hopes to remind all who interact with her of this truth.  

Two Light Studio Parking Information

Did you know that we validate parking for TWO garages?!

For the Two Light garage, please bring your ticket inside for validation. For the Power & Light garage, please ask for a parking pass at the front desk. (Hot tip: the Power & Light garage has a ton of space! But be sure to give yourself a little extra time to walk to the studio.)

If you find that you are running a little late, please call the studio to let the instructor know to keep an eye out for you.

Blackstone Studio Parking

  • We have partnered with our friends at Greenslate to provide 1 hour and 15 minute validated parking for Power Life students in the lot at 36th and Harney (just south of the Cottonwood Hotel). Read below to learn how to take advantage of this perk:

    • Step 1: Scan the QR code located in the lot.

    • Step 2: Select your destination (i.e. “yoga studio”).

    • Step 3: Ask for the validation code at the Blackstone studio front desk and enter it on your phone.

    • Step 4: You are all set! Have fun at class!

    Please note:

    • The validation provided by Power Life and Greenslate is for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Need to add additional time to your parking space? You can do that conveniently from your phone!

    • This option is valid once per day per license plate.

East Village Studio Amenities

  • There is a paved lot and gravel lot on the West side of the building.

  • Meters on Court and 4th (by Peace Tree) for $0.25/hour, 9am-9pm Mon. – Sat. 12-hour max

  • Meters on 4th (to the North) for $1.25/hour. Mon – Sat. 4-hour max.

  • All meters are free on Sundays and major holidays.

Building Blocks: Dancer Pose Info