Ardha Padmasana with the lift of a bolster
Ardha Padmasana / Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Bend
During the month of June we have been featuring poses with forward folds as part of our mental health month. Forward folds can calm the mind and the central nervous system.
Ardha Padmasana / Half Bound Lotus Stand Forward Bend is an intermediate pose. For a beginner version with the same forward fold benefits, practice Uttanasana. Other forward folds featured in June were: Triang Mukaikapada Paschimottanasana and Janu Sirsasana.
Benefits of using a bolster in Ardha Padmasana
Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Bend requires balance and the flexibility to take the hands to the floor while the one standing leg remains as straight as possible. The bolster offers a lift when the ground may feel too far away to achieve a straight leg and maintain balance while folding forward on one foot. Jardana is using an atlas bolster in our demonstration. Any size bolster works in this pose. The bigger the bolster's circumference, the high lift it will give you. This pose also opens the hips. And you know what they say... open hips, open hearts. 💛.
How to come into Ardha Padmasana with a bolster
- From a basic standing mountain pose, place the bolster horizontally, about a foot in front of your feet.
- While standing upright place the top of the right foot in your right hand and put the right ankle high on the top of the thigh.
- Reach your hands forward and take them down to the bolster.
- Leave the head looking up, or if possible, relax the head down.
- Release the do the second side.
For more forward folds, visit our How To Guide for Sitting Poses.
Pose of the Week features our current demonstrator for Inner Space Yoga. Demonstrators are also featured on InnerVeiws. Using both platforms, we are inspiring people to practice yoga by showing real people using our products, and by sharing real people demonstrating yoga philosophies in their daily lives. Read our introduction and watch an InnerView with Jardana here. Read about their work at People's Hub here.
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