Though this posture is not inherently complicated, it dies require some fundamental principles to remain in good alignment. Once the legs are wide bring focus to the feet. It is important to remain lifted in the arches, keeping the weight even from the big toe mound to the baby toe mound. With the hands on the hips, tip the pelvis forward and feel the sitting bones lift up to point back, creating a long spine without rounding in the lumbar. As the upper body comes forward, the hands can reach to the ground. Lift up on the fingertips and reach the head and tail away from each other. Make sure the weight is even in the feet and the kneecaps are lifted to engage the quadriceps. If the spine rounds at their point, of there is difficulty coming to the floor, see modifications. If yoga re moving deeper into the pose, place the palms on the floor and bring the torso lower, maintaining a long spine. With the palms on the floor, draw the shoulders down against gravity to lengthen the next and feel the muscles on the back. The crown of the head may come to the floor. It is does, walk the hands deeper between the legs, maintaining the shoulders on the back. To come out of the pose, gently squeeze the inner thighs to help activate the core while coming back up.

• stretches and strengthens inner thighs and back of legs
• stretches the back
• energizing
• releases neck tension
• stimulates digestive organs

• ankles rolling in or out
• knees locking
• sitting back in the hips and heels
• rounding the lumbar spine
• tension in the neck

• Use caution with lower back problems (see modifications)
• High blood pressure (half way only)
• Low blood pressure, come out slowly

• Use a block to place the palms on
• place the palms on a wall
• Bend the knees

• At the bottom of the posture hook the index and middle finer around the big toe in a yogi grip.  Bend the elbows and gently draw the body further forward.
• In standing, interlace the fingers behind the back, draw the shoulder blades together.  Hinge forward and extend the arms over the head towards the floor.
• Place one palm on the floor (or on a block) beneath the torso in the fold.  Lengthen the spine from the tail and head and gently twist the upper body towards the ceiling.  Keep the hips square.  Extend the top arm towards the ceiling.  Gently release and repeat on the opposite side.
• Keep the hands on the hips through out the posture.

• Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
• Fierce (Chair) Pose (Utkatasana)
• Warrior I, II (Virabhadrasana I, II)
• Eagle Pose (Garudasana)