Uttitha Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose) is the focus of this session. Like the teachings on Padangusthasana (Big Toe Pose) the root pose from Day 1 you’ll come back to the work of creating a clear interaction between your fingers and big toes, hands and feet, and arms and legs as part of building the foundation of your pose. Learning to value the main set up position is the key to enjoying this pose and extracting its benefits. During this class you see how the set up happens during 8 (4 on each side) of the 14 Vinyasa positions-- 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th Vinyasa positions on the first side and then on 8th, 10th, 12th, and 14th Vinyasa positions on the second side. You’ll learn to stay rooted in this one position as you go through the 3 phases of folding forward, swinging your leg to the side, and taking back your extended arm. Viewing the pose from a single position will help you stabilize your position while standing on one leg and improve your skill balance. You’ll also study the abdominal work that happens during the final phase of the pose. This day includes a study of Supta Padangusthasana the laying down version of the Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose) this includes a belly strengthening exercise that highlights the similarities between this pose and Navasana. You’ll also learn a progression of steps for building a strong, safe and trustworthy foundation in Sirsasana (Head Balance).

Day 6 (39 minutes)

Exercise 1: Surya Namaskara Vinyasa Count

Exercise 2: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana

Exercise 3: Supta Hasta Padangusthasana

Exercise 4:Headstand (1 chair and 2 blocks optional)

Exercise 5: Seated Meditation Padmasana Legs up wall (1 block, 1 blanket and 1 sandbag optional)