12. Toe Stand
Padangustasana
Progressing from tree pose to toe stand is much easier than it looks and often bring up a little bit of fear. Stick with the breathing, focus on one point on the floor ahead, pay attention to your knees, and all will be ok.
Start in tree pose and hinge forward from the hips, keeping the standing leg (left leg) straight. The hands are in prayer position, but if the right foot keeps slipping, hold the foot with the left hand.
Reach for the floor and transfer the body weight to the hands so that the knees are protected as the standing leg starts to bend. Once you come all the way down to sit on the left heel, walk the hands back by hips, lift the chest and straighten the spine.
Things may start to get a bit wobbly here – have patience and faith in your concentration. To help with balance, keep focusing on the floor a couple of feet away and use core strength to straighten the spine. Next, bring the hands into prayer and…tadah, you’re toe-standing!
Breath, maintain the balance and slowly lift the gaze.
Complete the pose by coming out of toe stand the same way you went in. Walk both hands forward, push away from the floor and straighten the left leg, keeping the left knee aligned forward.
Once standing, lower the right leg. Repeat with the left leg raised.
Benefits
- Builds concentration, patience, balance and focus
- Strengthens knees – especially good for curing gout and rheumatism
- Strengthens ankles and feet
- Builds core strength
- Strengthens the upper body – biceps, triceps and shoulders
- Can help with hemorrhoid problems
Don’t Cheat
