Get ready to go wide and improve your flexibility! Naturally, this posture is classified as a forward bend or fold, but it’s also a nice hip opener as well! It’s a Level 1 or beginner pose, but there are numerous levels of difficulty with the posture. Like most poses, it can be kept simple, and can also offer more challenging variations. Beginners may find it difficult to reach their hands or head to the floor, therefore blocks and blankets would be useful in order to bring the floor to you. If you have lower back issues, it may be best to avoid the full bend. Also, remember to find length in your torso and back.
Many times Wide Legged Forward Bends are used as a way to lead into challenging postures like Headstands and Crow Poses. Some students attain enough flexibility to go even deeper into the fold by reaching their arms between their legs and pulling their head further behind the legs. Note: Use extreme caution in efforts to go deeper in the posture.
There are also a variety of options for hand placement, including placing them flat on the ground, reaching to grab the ankles, or reaching back through the legs. You may also decide to add a twist to the pose.
Wide Legged Forward Fold Pose offers a variety of benefits, some of which are listed below.
Enjoy the pose!
Wide Legged Forward Fold Benefits:
Stretches The Hamstrings
Stretches The Groins
Decompresses The Spine
Helps Relax The Mind & Headaches
Acts As A Mild Inversion
Read More About Wide Legged Forward Fold Steps To Practice Wide Legged Forward Fold
The above Wide Legged Forward Fold is displayed by Yoga|Merge Instructor Paige Rene. You can catch Paige’s Classes on Yoga|Merge – Let’s Make Some Yoga