Seated Wide Angle Forward Bend

Audio File

Instructions

  • From Staff pose, bring your legs wide apart, up to a point where you feel a good stretch, but can still hold the pose, maintaining a straight spine, and without falling back.

  • Flex your feet, and keep your knees and toes pointed up towards the ceiling. Press your legs and sitting bones down, and lengthen up through your spine.

  • With a long spine, bend from the hips. Place your hands between your legs on the floor, and slowly exhale as you start to walk your hands forward.

  • Maintain length along the front of your body as you come further into the forward bend. If you feel you are starting to arch your back, don’t lower any further.

  • Hold this pose for 5 to 10 breaths.

  • To come out of the pose, come up with a straight back, pressing your sitting bones down, as you exhale.

Modifications

  • Sit on a folded blanket to help your pelvis tip forward

Contraindications

  • Lower back

Type of pose

  • Seated

Parts of Body Benefited

  • Stretches the insides and backs of the legs

  • Stimulates the abdominal organs

  • Strengthens the spine

  • Calms the brain

  • Releases groins

Other strategies for emotional support:

Depression

Grief

Sadness

Other strategies from:

Hatha Yoga

Yoga