The morning yoga pose I do for strength, stability and energy—and it’s one your yoga class is probably missing

Woman does deep squat yoga pose on yoga mat.

Yoga offers countless poses to improve physical health, balance, coordination, flexibility and strength. But there’s one I rarely see taught in modern yoga studios: squat and rise (utthanasana in Sanskrit).

For over 15 years, I’ve been a student at the Bihar School of Yoga. Squat and rise is one of its many classical postures, but I don’t see it practiced outside of India—despite it offering a wealth of benefits.