SUPTA PADANGUSTHASANA
Reclined Big Toe Pose - Supta Padangusthasana
Step by step
- Lie on your back, legs extended, feet
flexed pressing out through the heels.
- On an exhalation draw the right knee
into your chest, loop a strap around the arch of the right foot, or hook
your first two fingers around your big toe.
- Extend the right leg up to the
ceiling. Straighten your arms but keep both your shoulders on the
mat.
- Keep your left leg engaged and press
the top of your left thigh down with your hand. Extend through the
right heel creating a comfortable stretch in your hamstrings.
- Stay for 5 breaths, then open your
right leg out bringing it towards the floor on your right side. Keep the
left hip grounded. Stay for 5 more breaths.
- Bring your leg back to centre and then
lower it back to the mat. Repeat on the other side.
Beginners’ tips
- You can keep your left leg bent, foot
flat on the floor while extending the right leg with the help of a strap.
Then when bringing the bent leg out to the side let the other leg fall out
to the other side as well to balance the hips.
- Use a pillow under your head if it’s more comfortable
for you.
- When bringing the leg out to the
side you can rest the thigh on a block or cushion to allow more release in
the inner thigh.
Benefits
- Stretches the back of the legs
(hamstrings and calves), the groin, inner thighs and lower spine.
- Strengthens the abdominals and
adductors (inner thigh muscles) as you bring the leg back to centre.
Watch out for
- Use the strap as long as you need it
to avoid over-stretching your hamstrings.
- Keep the muscles of both legs active,
extending through the heels. However, avoid locking the knees. Think about
engaging the thighs and lifting the knee caps as in Tadasana / Mountain Pose.
Variations
- While
your extended leg is in the vertical position, draw it closer towards your
face. As you exhale, engage your core muscles and lift the upper body
bringing the chin towards the shin.
- Try
crossing the extended leg across your body to feel a counter stretch in
the outer hip area. Or take it further into an extended leg supine twist.
- Move
dynamically between the first (leg vertical) and second (leg to the side)
positions to build strength in the core and legs.
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