Uttanasana

Ardha Uttanasana

Uttanasana Bound Hands

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 Way Lift and included in Surya Namaskar and other vinyasas.
• However, in some styles, Padangusthasana is the name for a Half Way Lift. In this case, the naming comes from Part I of Padangusthasana in the Iyengar tradition: toes are clasped and spine is lengthened forward into a Half Way Lift.

See Also

• Asana Categories
• General Alignment Principles
• Alignment Cueing

Effects / Benefits

Energy, Mood, Emotion

Effects to energy, mood or emotion may include the following.

• Gives a “refreshed sense of well-being”
• Centering
• Relieves tension and stress