Big Toe Hold

Big Toe Hold is a sitting balance pose that helps improve mental focus and physical balance. Maintaining your balance is important as you age. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and death for people over 65. Other balance poses include Boat and Half Boat, Tree, Chair, Dancer, Eagle, Warrior III, and Half Moon.

English Name: Big Toe Hold

Sanskrit Name: Ubhaya Padangusthasana

Difficulty Level: 5

Start Position: Staff

Instructions:

Step 1.

Bend your knees and curl the first two fingers of each hand around your right and left big toe.

Step 2.

Straighten your leg balancing on your sits bones.

Step 3.

Gaze at your big toes.

Step 4.

Hold the pose for a few breaths or as long as it feels comfortable. Release and return to Staff pose. Repeat if desired.

Physical Benefits:

• Increase core strength
• Increases flexibility
• Opens up the chest
• Improves digestions
• Strengthens legs, arm, hips, abdomen, and arms
• Improves posture

Mental Benefits

• Increases focus
• Improves concentration
• Relieves mild anxiety & depression

Contraindications:

• Painfull coxics
• Pregnancy (3rd trimester)
• Low back pain
• Arm, leg, or shoulder injury