The Elegant Klutz: Pascimottanasana or Seated Forward Bend

Sanskrit: pascimottanasana Western Term: seated forward bend

Origin of Word: pascima = back; uttana = extension

Type of Asana: sitting pose

How To:

1. Sit in dandasana (staff pose). Exhale as you lean forward, extend your arms, and reach for the feet. Inhale to pull on the feet (pinky-toe-side-of-the foot) or lateral side of the legs while extending the upper body up from the pubis. Stretch both sides of the pubis and open the chest. Make the bag concave and look upward.

2. Exhale to bend the elbows outward. Move the pubis back in order to bring the hips closer to the thighs. Open the sits-bones away from each other. Simultaneously extend the front, sides, and back of the body toward the legs.

3. Rest the head on the shins, preferably the chin to the shins. Keep the head and back relaxed. Stay for 30-60 seconds.

4. Inhale to come up.

Body Points:

*Keep the feet and ankles together and keep the feet flexed to stretch the Achilles Tendon.

*Maintain the extension of the legs and trunk without becoming tense.

*Don’t let the legs roll outward. Pull up on the outer thigh muscles and keep the knees pressing down. Keep the head and upper body relaxed on the legs.

*Use your breath to help you find yourself deeper in the pose. On each inhale come into flat back and on each exhale fold a bit deeper over the legs.

Emphasized Body Parts: Hip flexors, hamstrings, spine, and muscles of the feet

Mental Benefits: calms the mind and improves concentration

Git rid of that belly with pascimottanasana

Other Benefits of the Pose:

-this posture is good for reducing belly fat and extra weight from the hips

-recommended for women after delivery or during menopause because it helps to strengthen and slim shape

-liver, kidneys, pancreas, and ovaries benefit from this pose-giving your digestion and appetite a boost

-helps regulate blood pressure

An aid for beginners: kramas or levels of a pose give us yogis with various levels options. For any given pose, there are various levels of difficulty. This krama that I offer is for beginners to the pose: use a chair pushing against the wall. Sit on the edge of the chair and bend down over the legs, gravity will help you bend over further. Keep hands on the floor.

A restful variation

A restful variation on the pose (for all levels): Use a blanket or small stool folded on the shins. Rest the forehead on the folded blanket or stool and stay for 2-3 minutes. Do not strain the back.

Chakra: Muladhara chakra; solar plexus center. First chakra which is red and symbolized by a four-petaled lotus.

Stimulating the first chakra with poses like pascimottanasana help build a strong foundation.

Seed sound (bija mantra): Lam, repeat the mantra while in the pose and come closer to unlocking the secrets of the earth

Ancient Sanskirt Proverb: “Regular exercise gives you good health, longevity, strength, and happiness. Health is the biggest wealth. It is the key to every success.”

Element: Earth

*Avoid doing this pose if you suffer from back injuries or diarrhea

Pascimottanasana helps to stimulate the digestive qualities in the tummy and rev up your metabolism. Perhaps you’re hungry? Maybe even ravenous? Here is a not-so-guilt-free recipe that I did not create. In fact, Trader Joe’s, one of my favorite places, are the creators of this fall-time dish. It’s easy to whip up, a bit sinful, and absolutely delicious.