
Padangusthasana is among the elementary asanas of Ashtanga Yoga. It’s a easy standing pose that includes a ahead bend. Resulting from its simplicity, this asana is appropriate for freshmen.
Padangusthasana stretches the physique from head to toe, participating many muscular tissues. It helps launch built-up pressure and may scale back physique ache. Together with its many advantages, this pose can be useful for individuals with flat ft.
If you’re beginning your yoga journey, Padangusthasana is an efficient pose to start with.
Which means
The time period Padangusthasana comes from Sanskrit. It’s made up of the next root phrases:
- In Sanskrit, pada means foot
- Angustha means huge toe
- Asana means pose
Collectively, these phrases clarify the literal that means of the posture. It includes bending ahead and holding the massive toes with the fingers.

Nevertheless, in Bikram Yoga, Padangusthasana is completely different. In Bikram Yoga, it’s a balancing posture and one of many 26 poses. On this model of the Massive Toe Pose, the physique is balanced on the massive toes whereas sitting in a squat place.
Padangusthasana follow information
Observe the factors beneath to practise Padangusthasana simply and safely.
Precautions & contraindications
- Decrease again damage– Keep away from practising Padangusthasana when you have a decrease again damage. The pose provides a deep stretch to the backbone, and doing it with an current damage could enhance ache.
- Neck injury- Don’t carry out this pose when you have a critical neck damage.
- Being pregnant– This pose shouldn’t be advisable throughout being pregnant, because it places strain on the decrease again and stomach.
- At all times practise the asana inside your physique’s limits. Don’t power your self in a single try. Improve flexibility slowly and transfer deeper into the pose over time.
Preparatory poses
How you can do padangusthasana (steps by steps)
- Stand tall together with your ft about six inches aside.
- Straighten your legs, raise the kneecaps, and place your fingers on the waist.
- Exhale and bend ahead from the hip joints, maintaining the backbone and legs straight.
- Maintain the massive toes firmly utilizing the thumb, index, and center fingers. Preserve the palms dealing with one another.
- Preserve the arms straight and look ahead.
- Inhale and transfer the elbows outwards, stretching the shoulder blades.
- As you exhale, bend deeper and convey the top in direction of the knees, gently pulling the physique in direction of the toes.
- Breathe usually and maintain the pose for about 20 seconds.
- Inhale and raise the top and chest midway up.
- Exhale and place the fingers again on the waist.
- Inhale and slowly come as much as a standing place, bringing the ft collectively.
Freshmen could discover it troublesome to carry the massive toes. In such instances, you may barely bend the knees or use a yoga strap for help till flexibility improves.
Observe up poses
Modifications & Variations
The bottom huge toe pose might be modified to simplify it:
Utilizing yoga strap – A yoga strap can be utilized as a prop to change the pose. Make a loop out of the strap and place it underneath the arch for simply holding the pose with out bending knees.
These variations might be practiced together with Padangusthasana.
1. Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana

After attaining padangusthasana absolutely, it is suggested to attempt its superior variation, i.e. Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana. It’s carried out by standing upright, lifting, and stretching one leg to the aspect. Then, attain the massive toe with the respective hand.
2. Standing Fireplace Hydrant Pose
Right here, after reaching the toes by each fingers (fingers) begin lifting one leg with the hand and stretch it to the aspect, whereas hold holding the other huge toe. Preserve the fingers and legs straight whereas sustaining the pose.
Padangusthasana Advantages
Padangusthasana gently stretches the physique from the legs to the backbone, serving to launch stiffness and built-up pressure. Common follow helps digestion, improves sleep, and calms the nervous system. It is usually useful for leg power, foot well being, and ladies’s consolation throughout hormonal adjustments.

1. Gives flexibility: This pose provides a deep stretch to the calves and hamstrings. The entire physique feels lengthened whereas holding the posture, which helps enhance total flexibility.
2. Stimulates the stomach area: In the course of the ahead bend, the stomach muscular tissues are gently pressed and activated. This helps higher digestion and improves the working of the digestive system.
3. Prompts the endocrine system: The ahead fold stimulates the pancreas, pineal, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. This helps preserve hormonal steadiness within the physique and helps total physique steadiness.
4. Stimulates reproductive organs: Padangusthasana helps the right functioning of the reproductive organs, together with the ovaries, uterus, and testes. This helps strengthen the reproductive system.
5. Helps with insomnia: The pose improves blood circulate to the mind, calms the nervous system, and prepares the physique for deep and restful sleep.
6. Reduces nervousness and stress: The ahead bend improves blood circulation and boosts vitality ranges. Practised with light respiration, it helps launch saved pressure and reduces stress and nervousness.
7. Offering reduction throughout menstruation: Massive Toe Pose is useful for ladies with PMS. Common follow can scale back menstrual cramps and in addition ease signs of menopause.
8. Advantages the kidney, liver, and spleen: This asana gently stimulates the kidneys, liver, and spleen. It helps wholesome metabolism and helps hold the immune system robust.
9. Strengthens and tones muscular tissues: Common follow tones the hamstrings and calf muscular tissues. The thighs and legs grow to be stronger and extra steady.
10. Helps with flat ft: The ft stay firmly grounded on this pose, which stretches and strengthens them. It helps develop the foot arch, improves strolling consolation, and reduces flat-foot points.
Conclusion
Start your yoga journey in direction of a stress-free life with Padangusthasana. This pose is straightforward to practise and presents a number of variations to discover. Contemplating its many well being advantages, particularly for at present’s busy and disturbing way of life, Padangusthasana is a pose price attempting.
