Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend

Yoga posture that stretches the legs and spine, calm the mind and relieve stress

Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend - Upavistha Konasana

Wide-Legged Seated Forward Bend is a seated yoga posture that deeply stretches the legs and spine, releases the groins, while also calming the mind and relieving stress. It is often practiced toward the end of a yoga class, when the body is warm, to prepare the body for even deeper forward bends.

This pose Sanskrit name — "Upavistha Konasana"— comes from three words:

• "Upavistha" — meaning "seated" or "sitting"

• "Kona" — meaning "angle"

• "Asana" — meaning "pose"

It is a good preparatory pose for other seated forward bends and hip-opening poses.

Benefits of Wide-Legged Seated Forward Bend

This pose stretches the hamstrings, calves, spine, pelvis, and groins. It also massages and stimulates the kidneys, which helps improve their ability to remove toxins from the body. Additionally, this pose stimulates the abdominal organs, which helps with digestion and metabolism. Folding forward naturally draws the awareness inward, which calms the mind and provides relief from anxiety, fatigue, and mild depression. This pose is also known to be therapeutic for arthritis and sciatica.