Yoga Journal

Powered by Outside

  • Home
  • Featured
  • Deals
  • Poses
  • Pose Finder
  • Practice Yoga
  • Accessories
  • Teach
  • Foundations
  • Meditation
  • Lifestyle
  • Astrology
More
    Yoga Journal Yoga Poses Poses by Type

    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.

    • Arm Balance Yoga Poses
    • Balancing Yoga Poses
    • Binding Yoga Poses
    • Chest-Opening Yoga Poses
    • Forward Bend Yoga Poses
    • Core Yoga Poses
    • Hip-Opening Yoga Poses
    • Inversion Yoga Poses
    • Restorative Yoga Poses
    • Seated Yoga Poses
    • Standing Yoga Poses
    • Yoga Poses for Strength
    • Twisting Yoga Poses
    • Backbend Yoga Poses
    More
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Big Toe Pose

      YJ Editors
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Bound Angle Pose

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Child’s Pose

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Extended Puppy Pose

      YJ Editors
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Head-to-Knee Pose

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Pyramid Pose | Intense Side Stretch Pose

      Binding Yoga Poses

      Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I

      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Seated Forward Bend

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Standing Forward Bend

      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Standing Half Forward Bend

      YJ Editors
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Standing Split

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Wide-Angled Seated Forward Bend

      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend

      YJ Editors

      Latest in Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      14 Best Yoga Poses for Sleep

      Simple stretches that help ensure a decent night's rest.

      Jeanie Manchester
      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 28, 2025
      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.

      Sarah Ezrin
      Published May 6, 2022
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      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.

      Amy Ippoliti
      Published Jan 7, 2022
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      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.

      Bernadette Soler
      Published Jan 3, 2022
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Bound Angle Pose

      Bound Angle Pose, or Baddha Konasana, opens the deepest part of the hip muscles.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend

      Open wide into Prasarita Padottanasana to increase flexibility by leaps and bounds.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Seated Forward Bend

      A simple pose that's anything but easy.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Pyramid Pose | Intense Side Stretch Pose

      Parsvottanasana encourages balance, body awareness, and inspires confidence.

      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      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.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jul 23, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Standing Forward Bend

      Uttanasana will wake up your hamstrings and soothe your mind.

      Updated Mar 23, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Child’s Pose

      Take a break. Balasana is a restful pose that can be sequenced between more challenging asanas.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jul 3, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      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.

      Sarah Herrington
      Published Oct 20, 2021
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      How to Quiet Your Racing Thoughts in 5 Minutes (or Less!)

      In the same time it takes to check your IG, you can calm TF down. And there's no need to haul out your mat or rush to change clothes. Just stretch.

      Renee Marie Schettler
      Updated Oct 30, 2024
      Binding Yoga Poses

      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.

      Updated Mar 27, 2025
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      3 Ways to Modify Paschimottanasana

      Modify Paschimottanasana as necessary to find safe alignment in your body.

      Erika Halweil
      Published Feb 28, 2018
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Master Paschimottanasana in 6 Steps

      Stretch the back of your entire body, open your hips, and create a state of inner calm.

      Erika Halweil
      Published Feb 28, 2018
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Master Sleeping Pigeon Pose in 4 Steps

      Find the external rotation and flexion that your hips need to remain agile in sleeping pigeon pose.

      Jason Crandell
      Published Mar 18, 2016
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      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.

      YJ Editors
      Published Oct 15, 2014
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Achieve Uttanasana the Safe Way

      Kathryn Budig's Modifications for Safe Alignment in Standing Forward Bend

      YJ Editors
      Published Sep 8, 2014
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      5 Steps to Master Standing Forward Bend

      Kathryn Budig shares her instructions to get into Uttanasana. Plus, reap the benefits and avoid these mistakes.

      Kathryn Budig
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      Find the Backbend In this Forward Bend

      For best results in the forward bend Parsvottanasana, use the alignment principles of backbends.

      Natasha Rizopoulos
      Published May 21, 2014
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      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.

      Nikki Costello
      Published Sep 30, 2013
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Fine-Tune Your Forward Folds

      Dial in to the details for greater integrity in your forward folds.

      Jason Crandell
      Published Sep 28, 2012
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      Stretch Skillfully: Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend

      No one ever increased flexibility by flopping. Learn to fold with awareness into Prasarita Padottanasana.

      Annie Carpenter
      Published Mar 16, 2012
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Slide Back Into Your Shell: Tortoise Pose

      Your mind and senses pull inward when you experiment with tortoise-like patience in Kurmasana.

      Lisa Walford
      Published Dec 16, 2011
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      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.

      Roger Cole
      Published Apr 17, 2011
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      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.

      Roger Cole
      Published Nov 5, 2009
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      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.

      Natasha Rizopoulos
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      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.

      Natasha Rizopoulos
      Published Oct 7, 2008
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      How to (Comfortably) Come Into Pigeon Pose

      …and get the maximum benefit from this hip opener.

      Natasha Rizopoulos
      Updated Jun 7, 2024
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Standing Split

      When you practice Standing Splits focus on the stretch in your quad and hamstring, not how high you can lift your leg.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 21, 2025
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      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.

      Richard Rosen
      Published May 3, 2008
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Standing Half Forward Bend

      Find length in front body before forward folding in Ardha Uttanasana.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 21, 2025
      Ayurveda

      Yoga Poses to Ease Back Pain

      Check out Julie Gudmestad's author page.

      Julie Gudmestad
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Extended Puppy Pose

      A cross between Child's Pose and Downward-Facing Dog, Extended Puppy Pose lengthens the spine and calms the mind.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Forward Bend Yoga Poses

      Big Toe Pose

      This pose gently lengthens and strengthens even stubbornly tight hamstrings.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 23, 2025
      Balance

      Work Awareness in This Intense Forward Bend

      An eye opener, Parsvottanasana can shine light on easy-to-overlook truths.

      Claudia Cummins
      Published Aug 28, 2007
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      Seek Out Sattva: Prasarita Padottanasana

      This forward fold restores a sense of balance by grounding the body so the mind can become tranquil.

      Claudia Cummins
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Wide-Angled Seated Forward Bend

      Upavistha Konasana is good preparation for most of the seated forward bends, twists, and the wide-leg standing poses.

      Updated Mar 22, 2025
      Forward Bend Yoga 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.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 22, 2025

      Outside+

      Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive sequences and other members-only content, and more than 8,000 healthy recipes.

      Learn More
      Facebook Icon Instagram Icon