Vinyala

Pose sheet

Lizard Pose

Utthāna Pṛṣṭhāsanaउत्थानपृष्ठासन

Lean forward in a wide lunge, forearms grounded and back knee lifted.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Front sole, back toes, and both forearms.

Enter

  1. Start in Downward-Facing Dog.
  2. Exhale; step your right foot outside your right hand.
  3. Bend your right knee above your ankle; ground your whole foot.
  4. Lower both forearms inside your front foot, elbows beneath shoulders.
  5. Straighten your back leg, keeping your toes grounded and knee lifted.

Hold

  1. Keep your front knee pointing in the same direction as toes.
  2. Lengthen your spine and reach your breastbone forward.
  3. Keep your pelvis level and facing the floor.
  4. Keep your back leg straight and active.

Exit

  1. Plant your palms and straighten your arms.
  2. Step your front foot back into Downward-Facing Dog.
  3. Repeat with the other leg forward.
Breathing
Breathe through your nose; exhale when stepping forward.
Gaze
Look at the floor between your hands.
Duration
Five breaths per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Hands groundedKeep your palms on the floor with your arms straight.
  • Forearms raisedRest your forearms on blocks.
  • Back knee groundedLower your back knee onto a folded blanket.
  • Bolster supportRest your forearms on a bolster with your back knee grounded.

Variations

  • Dragon Flying Low: back knee grounded; 3–5 minutes.
  • Twisted Dragon: open your front knee and turn chest upward.
  • Foot hold: bend your back knee and grasp your ankle.

Signals of effort

  • Weight on your forearms and shoulders.
  • Deep flexion of your front hip.
  • Back hip extension with your knee lifted.
  • Weight on your wrists in the hands-supported adaptation.