I N T H E F O L D .

A simple pose and one we repeatedly perform throughout nearly every practice because it feels so darn good to stretch out those tight hemmys.

But... UTTANASANA is also an unbelievable stretch for your glutes, hips, lower back, shoulders and piriformis. Acting as an ‘inverted’ Asana as the head is lower than the heart this basic posture has some very un basic benefits besides stretching.

As the head is lower than then heart it increases blood flow around the body promoting better circulation and cell renewal, as your heart rate increases your whole body benefits from new blood and a faster heart rate means burning more calories. Great news for those wishing their waistlines away!

Despite being on 2 feet Uttanasana can also be considered (by me anyway) a form of balance. Why? Because in my opinion if you are holding this pose properly you are working the entire body, grounding down on both feet, pulling the mat apart to feel the impact all around the legs through the glutes and have no weight on your hands to support yourself, you are technically ‘upside down’ so keeping steady and centred takes balance and poise.

And lastly but not leastly - because hey, breathing is what keeps us alive.. this simple pose encourages us to explore our breath more deeply. Folding in half restricts our lung capacity so it is the perfect place to learn how to breath deeper, slower and with intention.

UTTANASANA

F O R M O D I F I C A T I O N S:

1) strand against a wall and forward fold so you have a support behind you.

2) place a block or a stack of books on the floor to place your hands to be in a better position.

3) use a strap or a dressing gown belt around the ankles to act as leverage to draw you deeper towards yourself.

🖤💫

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