Finger to toe stretch

Hasta pada angusthasana

• Lie on the right side of the body with the left foot on top of the right.
• Stretch the arms above the head and rest the left palm on top of the right.
• Straighten the body from the fingers to the toes.
• Keep the arms and legs straight and raise the left leg and left arm to their full extent.
• Hold for a moment then slowly lower.
• Practice up to 10 times on this side then up to 10 times on the left.

Breathing

• Inhale while raising the limbs.
• Exhale while lowering.

Awareness

• The stretch in the hip.
• The balance.
• Synchronizing the movement with the breath.
• Swadhisthana chakra.

Contraindications

• Back conditions.
• Sciatic.

Benefits

• Stretches the hip joints.
• Improves posture.
• Develops balance and coordination.

Modification

• If it is challenging to keep the body balanced lying straight on the side, bend the bottom leg.

Practice note

• Aim to keep the body in one straight line. Keep integrity of the spine, especially the lumbar area.