Uttanasana & Other Standing Forward Bends

Uttanasana
Uttanasana
Uttanasana Bound Hands
Uttanasana Bound Hands
Ardha Uttanasana
Ardha Uttanasana
Padangusthasana
Padangusthasana

Uttanasana

OOT-tan-AHS-ahna

uttana = intense stretching or extension

Intense Stretching Posture

Also known as: Standing Forward Bend

Ardha Uttanasana

ARE-dah OOT-tan-AHS-ahna

Half Standing Forward Bend

Also known as: Half Way Lift

Padangusthasana

POD-ung-goos-TAWS-ahna

Hand to Big Toe Pose 

Padahastasana

PAH-dah-hah-STAHS-ahna

Hand to Foot Pose

Also known as: Gorilla

Baddha Hasta Uttanasana

Bound Hands Intense Stretching Posture

Summary

  • Uttanasana: hands on floor, block or legs
  • Padangusthasana: hold big toes
  • Padahastasana: hands under feet

Notes

  • Ardha Uttanasana is often used as the name for a half-lift and included in Surya Namaskar and other vinyasas.
  • However, in some styles, Padangusthasana is the name for a half-lift. In this case, the naming comes from Part I of Padangusthasana from the Iyengar tradition, where toes are clasped, and spine is lengthened forward into a half-lift.

See Also