How to Do the Extended Hand to Toe Pose

Hamstrung by your hamstrings? Unbalanced by your imbalance? This is a great pose to improve both.

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Learn all the basic yoga poses -- downward facing dog, lotus, plank, and so on -- so you can get toned and find a little inner calmness, too.

 
 

You Will Need

  • Comfortable clothing suitable for stretching and moving
  • A calm place where you won't be distracted or disturbed
  • A yoga mat or folded blanket

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Mountain Pose

    Stand at the front of your mat with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed between them, your spine erect, and your arms at your sides.

  2. Step 2

    Raise right knee

    While exhaling, bend your right knee, and bring it up toward your chest. Slip the middle and index fingers of your right hand around the big toe on your right foot. Place your left hand on your hip, and remain balanced this way for several breaths.

  3. If you're having trouble balancing on one foot, do this exercise near a wall so you can steady yourself or help yourself come out of the pose gracefully.

  4. Step 3

    Extend right leg

    While inhaling, slowly extend your right leg, keeping your fingers entwined with your big toe. Straighten your standing leg. Lift your chest forward and up, and lift the top of your head straight up toward the ceiling. Do not lean back.

  5. Step 4

    Hold pose

    Hold the pose for several breaths.

  6. Step 5

    Lower leg

    Slowly bend your right knee and bring your right leg back close to your body.

  7. Step 6

    Lower foot

    Release your fingers from your toe and lower your foot to the ground, and relax.

  8. Step 7

    Repeat pose

    Repeat the pose with your left leg and hold it for the same number of breaths that you did on your right.

  9. Step 8

    Release pose

    Release the pose and lower your left foot to the ground. Definitely better than unstrung and unbalanced.

  10. Married Hindu women traditionally wear bichiyas, or toe rings, on the second toes of both feet.

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