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Half Frog Pose

Ardha Bhekasana

Step by Step

Lie on your belly. Press your forearms against the floor and lift your head and upper torso.

Bend your right knee and bring the heel toward the same-side buttock. Then, supporting yourself on the left forearm, reach back with your right hand and clasp the inside of your foot. As you slowly rotate your elbow toward the ceiling, slide your fingers over the top of the foot and curl them over the toe tips. The base of your palm should be pressing the top of the foot.

To start press your foot toward the buttock; after a while, if you have the flexibility, take the foot slightly off to the side and press it toward the floor. Be sure to keep your knee in line with your hip. Don't push your foot too hard if it hurts your knee.

Square your shoulders with the front of the mat and don't collapse into your left shoulder. Instead, press down with your elbow to lift your chest.

Do Half Bhekasana on each side for the same length of time, 30 seconds to two minutes. Once your thighs and groins open enough, you can try the full pose-both legs at the same time.


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Reader Comments

Shannon

This was really hard for me. I couldn't square my hips and lift my torso fully forward. Are there other poses that could help me open more fully to be able to get the full benifit of this pose?

Anna

This pose was akward at first but if done about halfway through a class or series when the legs are warmed up a bit, I didn't feel as akward. This is truly wonderful. Follow this up with full frog then extended child to full child. Then down dog. Nice.

YogaMama

To Madison: A true yogi would never say any pose "sucks". Clearly you don't have the maturity at 10 to understand. Open your mind and have respect for yoga, other yogis and yourself. Your practice has just begun and you obviously need to persue the call.

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