Vinyala

Pose sheet

Hand Under Foot Pose

Pādahastāsanaपादहस्तासन

Standing, fold forward over straight legs, with your palms beneath your feet.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Both feet; soles press into palms, with hand backs grounded.

Enter

  1. From Mountain Pose, place your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Exhale and fold from your hips; bend your knees if needed.
  3. Slide palms beneath your soles, fingers pointing toward your heels.
  4. Inhale, lengthen your chest forward, and straighten your legs.
  5. Exhale, bend your elbows, and bring your torso toward your thighs.

Hold

  1. Keep heels grounded and legs active, without hyperextending your knees.
  2. Place your toes near the creases of your wrists.
  3. Lengthen your torso and let your head hang without forcing.
  4. Distribute weight between both feet, pressing gently onto your palms.

Exit

  1. Inhale and lift your chest, keeping your hands beneath your feet.
  2. Remove your hands from beneath your feet.
  3. Inhale, raise your torso, and return to Mountain Pose.
Breathing
Breathe normally while holding the pose.
Duration
About 20 seconds.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Bent kneesBend your knees until you can slide hands beneath your feet.
  • Shallower foldBring your torso less close to thighs; maintain length without pulling.
  • Hands free: UttānāsanaRemove your hands from beneath your feet and gently hold calves.
  • Blocks: Ardha UttānāsanaRest your hands on blocks and keep your torso long.

Variations

  • Concave back: lift your head; keep palms beneath your feet.
  • Palms-beside-feet variation: palms beside your feet; forehead toward your knees.
  • Crossed-arm variation: cross your arms; each hand holds the opposite big toe.

Signals of effort

  • Head below your heart.
  • Soles pressing into your palms.
  • Deep flexion of both hips with knees extended.
  • Arm traction with bent elbows.