Ravi Dixit IS THE MAN ON THE MAT
UTTHITA HASTA PADANGUSTHASANA (EXTENDED HAND-TO-BIG-TOE POSE)
Benefits: There are many physical and spiritual benefits to this pose:
- It stretches the hamstrings and strengthens the legs and ankles
- Lengthens the spine from the base
- Improves the flexibility of the hips
- Opens the chest and the shoulders
- Improves stability and concentration
Common Mistakes
- Bending the knee of the standing leg; this leg should straight. The standing leg is your pillar and the foundation of the pose. By bending it, you lose your balance. • Moving the eyes, which results in losing your concentration and balance. Your eyes should be focused on one point.
- Moving the eyes, which results in losing your concentration and balance. Your eyes should be focused on one point.
Tips
- Keep the standing (left) leg straight. Focus your gaze on one point. Once you feel relaxed and stable, bend the knee of the right leg, bring the thigh as close as possible to the chest, grab the big toe, and slowly stretch the lower part of the leg out from the knee joint. Do not stretch your leg from the hip as you may collapse in the pose. It’s not important if your raised leg is fully stretched or not.
- It’s advised to not practice this pose if you have sciatica or serious hip issues.
Awareness
By focusing your eyes one point, you bring the awareness inside of you. This improves your concentration and balance, both physical and emotional. Don’t hold your breath, just breathe normally and calmly.
Ravi Dixit is an Indian teacher living in London, passionate about making traditional yoga understandable for everyone.
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