This is the "side plank pose" in yoga (English meaning). The literal meaning of "Vasistha" is the richest, most excellent, or best. In this pose you can focus your mind and channel your thoughts in doing the best you can to hold your muscles in the position. Through this pose, you can learn that by striving for excellence, you are benefiting yourself. By raising your personal standards, you can create a more positive outlook on yourself and life.
Vasisthasana is a great pose to help with balance. There are different variations and modifications to this pose to help you adjust to your capabilities. This image shows one modification to the actual pose.
To get into this pose, you may want to begin by loosening your muscles in "downward facing dog". Then, come into a strong plank. Keep your hands spread out wide, shoulder-width apart, clawing every part of your hand onto your yoga mat (or the ground). You may want to set your right hand slightly in toward your chest. (you are going to be working the right side of your body.) Then turn your right foot so that the outer edge is strong and pressing into the Earth. Stack your left foot directly on top of your right foot as shown in the picture. As you are doing this, you should be deeply breathing, releasing tension in your muscles. Inhale to bring your left arm up, and reach toward the sky. Contract your shoulders and sacrum to try and lengthen the spine. Keep your legs strong and straight, contract your muscles (quadriceps and triceps) into your bones to keep a tight balance. Try to create a straight line with one shoulder directly above the other, and have your arms make a straight line (like in the image shown). After you feel comfortable in this position, you can turn to look up to the sky, and breathe deeply. Embrace Vasisthasana as you strive to achieve excellence, and maintain a positive and optimistic outlook on life. This is a therapeutic benefit to the asana. Physical benefits include strengthening your core muscles, your quadriceps, and triceps.
http://www.acrocore.com/vasisthasana-side-plank-pose/
This is the full posture. After holding your side plank pose, lift the upper leg, and grab your toes with your upper hand. Make sure to keep your legs strong and straight. Once you are steady, you can turn your neck to look up toward your lifted leg. Breathe deeply to release tension in tight areas. After holding in this position for about 5 breaths, you can release your leg slowly coming back into a plank. You may want to rest in child's pose for a few breaths to rest after you have accomplished the full posture.
References:
Vasisthasana, The Slide Plank Pose. <http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-46245964/stock-photo-vasisthasana-side-plank-yoga-pose.html>
Yoga - Vasisthasana. <http://yogablogbdf1130.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html>
Star Yoga. <http://www.staryoga.com/plank-side-pose>
