Forward Bending Poses

Forward bends symbolize our ability to let go gracefully into the flow of life.

Turn inward and have the feeling of surrender. Forward Bends  inspire feelings of introspection and humbleness The introspective and humbling quality of these poses quiets and cools the nervous system.  This affords the yogi the opportunity to go deep inside with his awareness.

John Friend says that technically, a forward bend is any pose in which the hips flex and the spine is either extended straight or rounded forward.

Sittting forward bends have two stages of completion.  The first stage is a creating inner spiral to bring the lower back in and extending the spine from the base of the sacrum through the top of head. The second stage is a bending forward while continuing the spinal extension of the first stage. In the second stage the spine rounds, yet an attempt is made to make the rate of change in the curvature of the spine smooth and gradual.

Because many students have tight hamstrings and hips, it is often necessary to have them sit up on a folded blanket or use some other prop in order to get an arch in their lower back in the first stage of a forward bend.

Sitting forward bends primarily stretch the hamstrings, buttock muscles and lower back.  When the back of the legs become more flexible, the pelvis can tip forward more freely thus releasing pressure on the lower back.

Forward bends, especially deep ones tone the internal organs—liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, intestines, pancreas and gallbladder.  In general, these poses can be held comfortable for longer periods of time than any other class of asana.

Forward bends Asana’s

Uttanasana ( standing forward bend ) Uttana  = extention Ut =Intense,  tan=stretch

Parighasana Parigha = gate, crossbar

Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Utthita = Extended,  Hasta = Hand, Pada = Foot
Padangustha = thumb or toe Supta Padangusthasana would be laying on the floor.  Supta = laying

Halasana = plough

The plough breaks up the crust that may have formed for the protection of what is underneath. As the earth has to be ploughed every year to keep it loose and aired, so the ground of the mind has to be ploughed over and over, to keep it open and receptive.

“Namaste”

click back to lessons