Forward Bend Yoga Poses
Learn how to work stiff muscles safely, promote lower-body flexibility, and find correct alignment with these forward bend yoga poses.
Latest in Forward Bend Yoga Poses
5 Poses You Didn’t Know Were Forward Bends
Not all forward bends are quieting and calming. Sarah Ezrin reveals some postures that may surprise—and challenge—you.
You Might Be Approaching Counter Poses All Wrong. Here’s Another Way
You know what happens to a paper clip when you bend it back and forth too many times? Stop doing the same thing to your body.
This Is the Secret to Getting More Out of Your Forward Bends
“Going deeper” into your pose has nothing to do with how it looks.
Bound Angle Pose
Bound Angle Pose, or Baddha Konasana, opens the deepest part of the hip muscles.
Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend
Open wide into Prasarita Padottanasana to increase flexibility by leaps and bounds.
Seated Forward Bend
A simple pose that's anything but easy.
Pyramid Pose | Intense Side Stretch Pose
Parsvottanasana encourages balance, body awareness, and inspires confidence.
Downward-Facing Dog Pose
One of yoga's most widely recognized poses, Adho Mukha Svanasana strengthens the core and improves circulation, while providing a delicious, full-body stretch.
Standing Forward Bend
Uttanasana will wake up your hamstrings and soothe your mind.
Child’s Pose
Take a break. Balasana is a restful pose that can be sequenced between more challenging asanas.
Why Is Child’s Pose So Insanely Calming?
We've seen an explosion of memes about Child's Pose over the last year and a half. Coincidence? We think not.
5 Calming Yoga Poses You Can Do in 5 Minutes
Those days when you seem to have no time for yoga are actually when you need it most. These poses will bring you back to yourself—and in less time than it takes to check your IG.
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I
Folding into Marichyasana I or Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I calms your mind, extends your spine, and gives your internal organs a healthy squeeze.
15 Yoga Poses for Sleep
A simple sequence of stretches that all but ensure a proper night's rest.
6 Steps to Master Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend)
Teacher and model Jenny Brill describes the 6 steps to successfully complete Prasarita Padottanasana, or Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend
3 Ways to Modify Paschimottanasana
Modify Paschimottanasana as necessary to find safe alignment in your body.
Master Paschimottanasana in 6 Steps
Stretch the back of your entire body, open your hips, and create a state of inner calm.
Master Sleeping Pigeon Pose in 4 Steps
Find the external rotation and flexion that your hips need to remain agile in sleeping pigeon pose.
Pose of the Week: Standing Forward Bend
Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) helps a hiker get stronger and go longer by stretching the hamstrings, calves, and hips and strengthening the knees and thighs.
Achieve Uttanasana the Safe Way
Kathryn Budig's Modifications for Safe Alignment in Standing Forward Bend
5 Steps to Master Standing Forward Bend
Kathryn Budig shares her instructions to get into Uttanasana. Plus, reap the benefits and avoid these mistakes.
Find the Backbend In this Forward Bend
For best results in the forward bend Parsvottanasana, use the alignment principles of backbends.
Not Flexible? You Need This Seated Forward Bend
So you think you can't do yoga? Flexibility develops over time. Practicing Janu Sirsasana is a start.
Fine-Tune Your Forward Folds
Dial in to the details for greater integrity in your forward folds.
Stretch Skillfully: Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend
No one ever increased flexibility by flopping. Learn to fold with awareness into Prasarita Padottanasana.
Slide Back Into Your Shell: Tortoise Pose
Your mind and senses pull inward when you experiment with tortoise-like patience in Kurmasana.
Yoga for Lower Back Pain: Skillfully Deepen Seated Forward Bends
Strengthen your lower back, free yourself from back pain in seated poses, and skillfully deepen your forward bends.
Find the Right Amount of Round in Forward Bends
To enjoy all the benefits a forward bend has to offer, find just the right amount of rounding in your back.
Flexibility? This Standing Forward Bend Is the Secret
Frustrating as it can be, Parsvottanasana is key for increasing hamstring and shoulder flexibility. Learn how to work it.
Set All Ego Aside in This Seated Forward Bend
Forget destination and let Upavistha Konasana take you on an inner journey. Here are your directions, enjoy the ride.
The King of Hip Openers: Pigeon Pose
Learn how to work stiff hips from every angle in Pigeon Pose.
Standing Split
When you practice Standing Splits focus on the stretch in your quad and hamstring, not how high you can lift your leg.
Warm Up and Cool Down: Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend
Prasarita Padottanasana is not only the perfect prep for standing poses but for your cool-down, too.
Standing Half Forward Bend
Find length in front body before forward folding in Ardha Uttanasana.
Yoga Poses to Ease Back Pain
Check out Julie Gudmestad's author page.
Extended Puppy Pose
A cross between Child's Pose and Downward-Facing Dog, Extended Puppy Pose lengthens the spine and calms the mind.
Big Toe Pose
This pose gently lengthens and strengthens even stubbornly tight hamstrings.
Work Awareness in This Intense Forward Bend
An eye opener, Parsvottanasana can shine light on easy-to-overlook truths.
Seek Out Sattva: Prasarita Padottanasana
This forward fold restores a sense of balance by grounding the body so the mind can become tranquil.
Wide-Angled Seated Forward Bend
Upavistha Konasana is good preparation for most of the seated forward bends, twists, and the wide-leg standing poses.
Head-to-Knee Pose
Janu Sirsasana, or Head-to-Knee Pose, is appropriate for students of any level and melds a forward bend with a spinal twist.