Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose
Yoga Pose Of The Week Yoga Pose Of The Week: Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose Use this Pose to Stretch your Hamstrings & Strengthen your Legs! Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose
Utthita Hasta Padangustasana Utthita—Extended
Hasta—Hand
Padangusta—Big Toe | Brought to you by:  | 
| Between work, school, taking care of the kids, making dinner, and running errands, it’s easy for us to get thrown off balance in the course of a day. So here is a pose to work on that will get you centered and restore that balance; even amidst all of the hustle and bustle in your everyday life. | Diva Utthita Hasta Padangustasana Benefits: Diva Utthita Hasta Padangustasana How To: |  | 1. Stand in Tadasana. | | 
| 2. Engage your core, ground down through your left foot, and engage your left thigh muscles, pulling up from the knee cap and lift your right knee in toward your chest. You have the option to hold here or move further for a more challenging pose. | | 3. Place your left hand on your left hip. Reach your right arm inside your right thigh and take the index finger and middle finger of your right hand and ‘hook’ them around your right big toe. If you have tight hamstrings your will need to use a strap around the ball of your right foot instead. | | 
| 4. Continue engaging the left thigh muscles and extend your right leg straight out in front of you, straightening your knee as much as possible. Pull the shoulder blades in and down the back as you lift your sternum, heart center, up and stand tall. Lengthen through the spine and the back of the neck. Keep your core engaged for stability and try to square your hips—your right hip may have a tendency to lift higher than your left. You can stay here, or if you feel steady, continue for an even more challenging pose. | | 5. Draw your right leg out to the right and breathe steadily here. Stay here for 30 seconds if possible. When you’re ready, bring your right leg back to center on an inhale, bend your knee into your chest, and lower your foot to the mat on an exhale. | Diva Utthita Hasta Padangustasana Caution: Shop for Fitness Necessities: | | | | | Also See... | | | | | | | Article Written By: Megan Helgeson is a freelance writer on health and wellness, a yoga instructor, and a personal lifestyle trainer--helping you get the most out of life with home organization, time management, nutrition, positive intention, and goal setting. Contact Megan at mmhelgeson@gmail.com**Don’t forget to ask about Diva Yoga Parties in Orange County. |  | |
