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Also known as: Utthita Hasta Padangustasana A, Extended Hand To Big Toe Pose.

Technique

  1. Standing with feet together and legs engaged, inhale lifting the right leg and grabbing the big toe with the first two fingers and thumb.
  2. Straighten the leg as much as possible without flexing the spine or bending the standing leg.
  3. Fold your upper body forward towards your knee.
  4. Return to standing straight, release the right leg, and come back to standing, then repeat on the left side.

Form tips

  • Lengthen the extended leg by pointing the toe and pulling back at the same time, feeling the hip crease deepen.
  • Keep the opposite hand on the hip to encourage stability in the standing leg.
  • Keep a steady gazing point with the eyes and steady breathing for better balance.
  • Use a wall for balance as needed until you are able to balance without assistance.
Logging: Work each side for the time indicated.

Muscles

Strength

Secondary

  • Legs
Flexibility

Primary

  • Glutes
  • Hamstrings

Secondary

  • Hip adductors
  • Legs
  • Pelvis

Equipment

Appears in

Strength
Other disciplines
Joint movements
trains stretches

Progressions

w00u

One-leg hold

Intermediate

Regressions

e0w4

Standing front leg toe hold

Novice
e0fr

Half moon pose

Intermediate
e0w5

Standing side leg toe hold

Novice
e0y9

Front leg swing

Novice
e170

Hip airplane

Intermediate
e0wa

Supported half moon pose

Novice
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