UTTHITA HASTA PADANGUSTHASANA (EXTENDED HAND TO BIG-TOE POSE)
Really use your core muscles to hold the leg up in rather than letting your arm do all the work – it’s good preparation for where you take the hand away!
Begin in Tadasana (mountain pose), with the core engaged.
Standing on the left foot with left hand to hip. raise the right knee to catch on to the big toe with first two fingers and thumb.
Extend the leg forwards whilst maintaining a long straight back and standing leg. The right knee can remain bent if necessary.
Focus on drawing your right shoulder back in line with the left and keeping the hips aligned as you lift up through your core, growing taller through the crown.
Remain here for 5 breaths, then release the big toe and bring the hand to the waist, keeping the leg parallel to the floor for five breaths before slowly lowering the foot and returning to tadasana.
Repeat on the other side.
