What is Paschimottanasana?
Paschimottanasana happens to be a classic yoga pose which means ‘Seated Forward Bend’ pose in English. This pose involves the practitioners folding the top half of their body over their seated lower half. In order to successfully practise this pose, practitioners are required to be mentally focused and flexible. When practising this pose, your entire body is stretched, including your calves, hamstrings, and your spine. In this article, let’s find out the types of Paschimottanasana, the steps and some precautions to consider while performing this yoga pose!
Types of Paschimottanasana
You can incorporate the following variations when you attempt to practise Paschimottanasana such that you don’t strain your muscles:
Paschimottanasana with a Prop
In case you find it hard to place your legs on the floor without bending your knees, you can use a prop to support your knees and place it below them. This prop could be a blanket or a flat pillow. If you feel any strain on your chest or lower abdomen, you can place this prop on your thighs such that when you stretch forward, you can breathe with greater ease.
Paschimottanasana with a Strap
In order to thoroughly stretch your body in this pose, you are required to hold your toes. If you aren’t able to do this, you can use a strap around your feet and hold onto it. This strap will provide you with additional support and will help you execute the Paschimottanasana yoga pose better.
Paschimottanasana with Bent Knees
In the event you find it hard to focus on your breath as your hamstrings feel tight, you could perform this pose with bent knees. Furthermore, you could sit on a pillow which will lift up your hips and allow you to reach your toes.
