Want to enhance your flexibility without doing much? Standing Forward Fold is one of the most practiced yoga stretching. From hamstrings to the spine, it works on every smaller joint in your body. However, practicing this pose has numerous aspects you should have a clear understanding about. It helps you stay from injuries and discomfort.
Without wasting any time, here are some major points to practice the Standing Forward Fold. Also, go through some of the mistakes you need to avoid while practicing the Standing Forward Fold. Read on.
How to Practice Standing Forward Fold Yoga?
- Stand on your feet on a yoga mat
- Keep shoulder-width distance between your feet
- Make sure your knees are not locked out
- Bend forward while keeping your spine erect
- Let your arms hang down to further stretch your body
- Do not round off your spine while bending forward
- Stay in the bending position for a few long breaths
- Return to the neutral position after you are done
The above-mentioned are just a few steps that help you practice the Standing Forward Bend. Make sure you follow these steps to practice it without any hassle.
Common Mistakes That Beginners Do
Beginner yoga practitioners commit a lot of mistakes. It increases their risk of injury and discomfort. Go through these mistakes to ensure you do not commit them.
- Not keeping your spine straight
- Going too deep when you are not flexible enough
- Not bending from your hips
- Keeping your legs straight to put stress on your knees
- Locking out your knees and stretching your hamstrings
- Feet not in alignment with your shoulders
- Too close or wide feet from each other
These mistakes might lead to Sciatica nerve pull or disc bulge. So, make sure you get familiar with these to keep yourself safe while practicing the Standing Forward Fold. You can even join a 200 hour yoga teacher training course to learn the basics of yoga practice.
Different Variation of Standing Forward Fold
Using Yoga Blocks
The use of yoga blocks is common in yoga practice. While practicing the Standing Forward Fold, you should place yoga blocks in front of your feet.
However, make sure the yoga blocks are placed in the perfect position so that you can shift your weight on them while bending forward. In short, place them according to the level of your yoga practice and flexibility. You can even join a 300 hour yoga teacher training course to learn more about the use of yoga props.
Hanging In-Between
Another variation of the Standing Forward Fold is that you bend your legs a little. Make sure your spine is erect and has the natural curve. Keep your hands on your thighs and slowly move them along your legs.
You need to stop at the point where your spine starts to round off. Doing this posture will help in improving your hamstrings flexibility over time. In short, it prepares you to practice the Standing Forward Fold without any hassle.
Benefits of Practicing the Standing Forward Fold
Better Range of Motion
One of the biggest benefits of practicing the Standing Forward Fold is that it improves your overall flexibility. You tend to move your spine a lot that positively affects your other physical actions.
Also, it releases stress from the smaller joints present in your spinal joints. Moreover, the mobility of your hip joints improves with regular practice.
Enhances Blood Flow
Muscles become rigid over time when there is no or minimum movement. Therefore, it leads to poor blood circulation that could give birth to numerous issues.
Practicing the Standing Forward Fold stretches the immobile muscles and joints. Hence, the blood flow increases to ensure your body gets all the required nutrients.Strong Lower Body
Bending forward puts a lot of tension on your lower back. However, when done properly, it strengthens your lower back as well as the muscles surrounding your core area. Hence, you stay away from all the lower back injuries over time.
Complete Relaxation
Standing Forward Fold is one of the easiest yoga poses that you can practice to relax and rejuvenate your body. In short, this calms your mind and provides rest to your body.
Conclusion
The art of yoga has evolved over the centuries. Therefore, you should join a 500 hour yoga teacher training course to learn about each dimension of yoga. It not only helps you learn Standing Forward Fold but also enhances your overall yoga knowledge. In short, you become a yoga master over time.
