You forward bend, you backbend, but what about going sideways on your mat? Some sideways yoga is a great way to freshen up your practice this spring.

We don’t often think about being tense in our sides, but like every other nook and cranny of our body, they accumulate tension and stress. The good news is the side body responds quickly to lengthening and opening up those spaces, and doing so improves how you carry yourself and how you breathe.

Side bends can be surprisingly intense, so take your time taking your body from right to left. Learn my favorite sideways yoga – including Vishnu’s Couch (bottom pic), which I adore for more than its name – in my latest tutorial on the Athleta Chi, A Side of Yoga. Happy spring!