Big Toe - Padangusthasana

Try out this Asana with me?, Health Challenge Invite. P?d??gu??h?sana

STEPS :

1. Start in Tadasana / Mountain pose with your feet hip-width apart. Bring your hands to your hips as you inhale.
2. As you exhale, bend forward, hinging from the hips. Keep length in the front body and your legs straight.
3. Wrap your first two fingers around the big toe, closing with the thumb.
4. On an inhalation, flatten your back, straighten your arms and look forward, opening your chest, drawing shoulder blades down along the spine.
5. On an exhalation, release into the forward bend, lengthening from the hips, drawing your torso close to the legs with the grip of your fingers and thumb, your elbows move out to the sides. Press through the toes.
6. Stay for 5 breaths.
7. To come out of the pose, release your toes and either roll up vertebra by vertebra, or place your hands on your hips, ground through your feet and come up with a straight spine.

Benefits

• Lengthens and strengthens the back of the legs.
• Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and anxiety
• Stimulates the liver and kidneys
• Stretches the hamstrings and calves
• Strengthens the thighs
• Improves digestion
• Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
• Helps relieve headache and insomnia.

Who Can Do

Consult a doctor before beginning an exercise regime.