Toe Stand (also known as Padangustasana) is a stunning posture, both in how it looks and its physical and mental involvement. The power of patience is key to getting into the posture and developing within it.
Some of the benefits of toe stand:
- Traditionally seen to help cure gout and rheumatism
- Strengthens the stomach muscle
- Strengthens joints
- Helps to relieve arthritis along the leg joints and hips
- Promotes balance and focus in the body and mind
Tips for developing toe stand:
- Make sure to evenly distribute weight through the legs and foot before going down into the posture
- Keep standing leg locked while you bend down and whilst looking in front of you
- Be patient and keep with the dialogue, don’t rush the pose
- Engage your abdominal muscles and inhale through your nose.
- When you are down, keep lengthening your spine by imagining you are moving your head to touch the ceiling
- When you are confident in your balance, shift your focus to meet your eyes in the mirror, lifting toes to balance. Palms become firmly pressed in front of your chest.
- Be patient coming out of the posture and with yourself.
