Blog-28 – Prasarita Padottanasana

Healthy Women…
Another asana to relieve a few menstrual concerns of women.
Prasarita Padottanasana:
The name comes from the Sanskrit words ‘prasarita’= ‘stretched out, expanded, spread, with outstretched limbs’, ‘pada’ = ‘foot’, ‘ut’ = ‘intense’, ‘tan’ = ‘to stretch or extend’ and ‘asana’ = ‘posture’, it is also called as wide-legged standing forward bend.
This literally translates to “Feet Spread Intense Stretch Pose.” Practicing Prasarita Padottanasana can feel expansive and soothing after a long set of standing poses, or after running, walking, or cycling. Wide-Legged Standing Forward Fold is a calming forward bend that stretches the hamstrings and back.
How does it help?
- It gives a calm mind
- It relieves from stress, anxiety, and mild depression
- It relieves from mild backaches
- It relieves from neck and shoulder tension
- It tones the abdominal organs
- It improves digestion
How to do the asana?
- Stand in Tadasana, the mountain pose.
- Spread your legs 2 to 3 feet apart.
- Inhale and raise your hands, exhale and bend forward.
- Touch your hands to the ground and place them next to your feet.
- Your elbows should touch your knees.
- Stretch your torso, till your head touches the ground.
- Be in this pose for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Slowly release your head, and then your hands.
- Slowly raise your torso up
- Bring your feet close together, and rest in Tadasana.
Who should avoid the asana?
- Those who have back injuries should avoid this asana.
- Those who have chronic injury to the legs, hips or shoulders.