Translation/English Name: "Wide Legged Forward Bend"
Professional Picture
-From Yoga Journal.com
Critical Elements: Strong widened legs, relaxed/opened hip, straightened back, and the bend at the hips
To get into the Asana:
1. Stand in Tadasana
2. Hope feet so they are 4 feet away from each other
3. Straighten back
4. Place hands on hips
5. Bend forward slowly
6. When back is parallel to the floor, place hands onto floor
7. Slowly walk your hands so they are in between your feet
8. If you feel like you can do so, bend your elbow to go down further
9. Rest crown of the head on the floor
10. Full position should have forearms perpendicular, and upper arms parallel
Alignment actions of muscles involved:
Feet pointed forward, legs parallel with each other, head in line with the spine, back straight, forearms perpendicular with the floor. Need strong thighs to balance with, need to be able to relax/open up hips, keep back straight.
Physical and Therapeutic benefits of the asana:
Relaxes and opens hips, stretches thighs, stretches back. By letting go of your body and submitting to the asana, you are also letting go of stress and worries that plague you.
Awareness: When I'm in the asana, I feel relaxed and calm, as I let go and let the weight carry my torso down, I'm also letting go of tension and stress that I feel, leaving me calm and placid. This song reminded me of the calmness that I feel in this position. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVbFMoimgM4 It makes me feel relaxed, and relieves me of stress, just like the position.
References:
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/693
I used the steps for how to get into and out of the asana, and the translation of the name.
