Utthita Padangusthasana
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, Standing Big Toe Hold or Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose is a standing balancing asana in modern yoga as exercise.
Etymology and origins
The name comes from the Sanskrit words Utthita meaning "extended", Hasta meaning "hand", Pada meaning "foot", Angustha meaning "thumb" or "toe", and Asana meaning "posture" or "seat".Description
Utthita Padangusthasana is a pose with the body standing straight, on one leg; the other leg is stretched out straight, and the foot of the raised leg is grasped by the hand on the same side of the body. It is entered from the standing pose Tadasana. The pose has two forms: I, with the raised leg to the front, and the opposite hand to the hip; II, with the raised leg to the side, and the opposite hand stretched out straight to the other side. Students can practise the pose using a strap to hold the extended foot, or a ledge or wall for support; or may keep the knee bent. The pose is at the start of the Primary Series of Ashtanga (vinyasa) yoga.Variations
Utthita Ekapadasana is a milder form of the same pose, the leg not lifted far enough for the toes to be grasped.Utthita Parshvasahita has the raised leg out to the side and the head turned away from the raised leg.
Svarga Dvijasana has the raised leg out to the side, the hands clasped under the thigh with the arm on the raised leg side in front, the other arm behind.