I love being a home practitioner, but when I’m away from a teacher or shala for too long, I forget little tidbits of a posture. I never realize it until I go to a workshop or immerse myself in study, but there’s always something that I’ve been doing wrong, or forget all together.
We could all use a little refresher at times, right?
Paschimottanasana is done in three parts, so it’s a lot to remember.
Remember how long it took you to memorize the vinyasas for Prasarita Padottanasana? It’s like that in the sense that it’s easy to forget a movement here and there.
This is the first posture in the primary series, so it comes right after the standing postures. If you’re new to practicing, it’s easy to get out of breath during the standing sequence. Dandasana and Paschimottasana together should be used a time to reconnect and deepen the breath. As time goes on, you’ll gain more stamina and learn how to steady and deepen your breath for longer periods of time.
This is a forward bend posture. Even if you can’t reach your toes, it’s a fairly simple posture that helps to regulate the breath and create calmness in the mind.
In my video below you’ll learn:
- How to get the most out of this posture by reconnecting with your breath and bandhas, and I’ll show you a few things to make this posture even more effective.
- All of the vinyasas for Paschimottasana.
- Modifications if you aren’t able to reach your toes.
How To Do Paschimottasana: Intense Western Stretch
To Open Hearts & Happy Thoughts,