We are headed into the last week of the #MermaidYogis challenge, and it’s time to start getting upside down! One of the most important preparations for inversions is stretching the hamstrings, which can be done quite nicely with a wide leg forward fold, called Upavistha Konasana in Sanskrit.
Wide Leg Seated Forward Fold
- Sit down with legs extended in front of you.
- Open legs into a wide straddle, keeping feet engaged with knees and toes pointing towards the sky.
- Inhale and lengthen through the crown of the head, sitting up tall.
- Exhale and begin to hinge forward at the hips. If possible, come down onto forearms while keeping the spine long.
- Inhale and pause, lengthening spine. Exhale and allow yourself to fold forward further. Repeat this process, inhaling to lengthen, exhaling to fold, for five to ten breaths.
- For less challenge, stay sitting upright. For more challenge, bring the entire torso onto the earth.
- You may choose to add a shoulder opener, interlacing fingers behind you and pressing palms together, reaching hands towards the sky as you fold forward.
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