It’s a standing pose that utilizes different muscles to go into the pose. The benefits of this pose are that it stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees and ankles, stretches the hips, groins, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine. It stimulates the abdominal organs, helps relieve stress, improves digestion. It helps relieve the symptoms of menopause and headache, especially through trimester of pregnancy. Finally, it can be therapeutic for anxiety, flat feet, infertility, neck pain, osteoporosis and sciatica.
However, there are contraindications for this pose. People who have diarrhea, low blood pressure, high blood pressure, heart conditions and neck problems.
The steps to get into the pose:
To spread the leg 3.5, 4 feet apart from Tadasana. Arms are raised, parallel to the floor, reaching out to the side and to press the shoulder down with palms facing the mat. Turn left foot slight inwards and right foot 90 degrees with both heels aligned. Move the body forward and over the right leg and rest the right hand on the shin, ankle. Stretch the left hand towards the ceiling and look at the thumb. Holding it for 30 seconds or 1 min. Holding the pose longer will benefit more from it.
As always with all poses, variations are also recommended for a start. Instead of stretching the hand towards the ceiling, it can be parallel to the ground or just over the ear.
Namasate
Forward Ben
