Vinyala

Pose sheet

Bound Angle Pose (Butterfly)

Baddha Koṇāsanaबद्धकोणासन

Sit upright, bring your soles together, and let your knees open sideways.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Sitting bones and outer edges of both feet.

Enter

  1. Sit with your legs extended in front of you.
  2. Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together.
  3. Draw your heels toward your perineum without forcing.
  4. Interlace your fingers and hold both feet.
  5. Lengthen your spine and let your knees lower.

Hold

  1. Keep your sitting bones grounded.
  2. Keep your feet together with their outer edges grounded.
  3. Lift your breastbone with your head aligned over your shoulders.

Exit

  1. Release your feet.
  2. Extend your legs and relax your body.
Breathing
Breathe comfortably while holding the pose.
Gaze
Forward or toward the tip of your nose.
Duration
As long as you can hold it.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Raised seatSit on a cushion's edge or a folded blanket.
  • Supported thighsPlace blocks or blankets under both thighs, near your knees.
  • Feet farther awayMove your heels away from your perineum; keep your torso upright.
  • Supported backSit with your back against a wall.

Variations

  • Forward bend: fold from your hips, head toward the floor.
  • Supta Baddha Koṇāsana: lie on your back, keeping the leg position.
  • Rounded-back Butterfly variation: feet farther away; fold with a rounded back.

Signals of effort

  • Torso flexion in the forward bend variations.