Vinyala

Pose sheet

One-Legged Side Plank

Eka Pāda Vasiṣṭhāsanaएक पाद वसिष्ठासन

Balance sideways, extending your top leg toward the ceiling while holding its big toe.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

One palm and the outer edge of the bottom foot.

Enter

  1. From Plank, rotate onto your right hand and right foot.
  2. Stack your feet and lift your pelvis, keeping your torso aligned.
  3. Bend your left knee and externally rotate that hip.
  4. Hold your left big toe with your thumb and first two fingers.
  5. Straighten your left leg toward the ceiling while maintaining your grip.

Hold

  1. Press your palm down and externally rotate your supporting upper arm.
  2. Keep your torso diagonal without dropping or excessively lifting your hips.
  3. Keep both knees straight; draw your toes toward your shins.
  4. Keep your leg raised and your top hip externally rotated.

Exit

  1. Exhale, release your toe, and lower your leg with control.
  2. Place your top hand down and rotate into Plank.
  3. Repeat on the other side.
Breathing
Breathe continuously; exhale as you release your leg.
Gaze
Toward your raised foot; alternatively, look straight ahead.
Duration
Five breaths per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • StrapLoop a strap around your top foot; hold it while straightening.
  • Bottom knee downRest your bottom knee while lifting and holding your top foot.
  • Bent-knee preparationMaintain your grip with your top knee bent before straightening it.

Variations

  • Basic Side Plank: feet stacked, without raising the top leg.
  • Side Tree: top foot against the bottom inner thigh.
  • Brief-retention variation: keep the same shape; briefly hold your breath and breathe normally during longer holds.

Signals of effort

  • Weight on one extended wrist.
  • Lateral balance on one hand and one foot.
  • Top leg raised, with knee extended and big toe held.
  • Breath retention during the brief hold.