Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)

Setu Bandhasana
Setu Bandhasana
Supported Setu Bandhasana
Supported Setu Bandhasana
Setu Bandhasana Advanced
Setu Bandhasana Advanced

* Full advanced version has arms crossed, hips lifted, legs extended. See Advanced Form for instructions to get into full pose.

Setu Bandhasana

SET–too BAHN–dah

SAY–tuh–bahn–DHAHS–ana

“setu” = bridge

“bandha” = lock

“setu bandha” = construction of a bridge (BKS Iyengar)

Bridge Pose

Also Called

Setu Bandha

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Dwi Pada Pitham

Dwi Pada Pitham

dwee–pa–da–PEET–ham

“dwi” = two

“pada” = foot]

“pitham” = stool, seat, chair bench

Two Foot Pose

Two-Legged Table

Little Bridge Pose

Heart of Pose

Backbend / Chest Opener

 Notes

  • In some traditions, Dwi Pada Pitham refers to the vinyasa of lifting hips on inhale and releasing to floor on exhale.
  • The restorative version of Setu Bandhasana is different than the supported version shown here. In the restorative version, the back is on a lengthwise bolster, head spilling off.
  • Bridge Pose requires hip extension, knee flexion, and scapula adduction and depression.
  • The power of the upper back is directed to squeezing and lowering the shoulder blades.
  • Bridge is the primary preparation for Salamba Sarvangasana.
  • Some sources suggest waiting until student can hold Bridge Pose for quite some time to indicate proper strength before introducing Sarvangasana.
  • Another readiness test for Sarvangasana is that cervical and thoracic spine are both lifted from floor in Bridge Pose.

See Also