Supta Padangusthasana

(Reclining Hand to Big Toe Pose)

Lauren Adelson – Yoga Teacher at Ocotillo Village Health Club & Spa

When considering the use of props in a yoga class, many students wrongly assume that the props mean the student isn’t very flexible or very good at the poses. On the contrary, yoga straps and blocks can be utilized by an student to deepen the benefits of many yoga poses.

Lauren Adelson is a Yoga Teacher at the new Ocotillo Village, and is beautifully demonstrating a reclining pose called “Reclining Hand to Big Toe.” The use of a strap helps the student perform the pose in proper alignment – in this case it allows the student to keep the shoulders and chest open, while keeping the hips level and aligned. The hips and hamstrings get a beautiful stretch as a result and there is no tension created elsewhere in the body due to straining and “reaching” for the toe.

Benefits of Supta Padangusthasana

• Stretches hips, thighs, hamstrings, groins and calves
• Strengthens the knees
• Improves digestion
• relieves backache, sciatica and menstrual discomfort
• Therapeutic for high blood pressure, flat feet and infirtility