Pashchimottanasana

Pashchim Means posterior side of body and Uttana, elevating. Thus in practicing Pashchimottanasana, one leans forward with elevated posterior side of body, hence the name.

1. In sitting position, straighten your legs full length, join heals and toes.

2. Bend your right leg to put its sole touching along with left upper thigh. Try to make a 90º angle between left thigh and right calf.

3. While inhalation, raise both hands straight above your head, palms facing forward.

4. while exhalation and pulling stomach inside, lean forward so as to touch the toes of left foot with fingers, also try to touch forehead with knees.

5. In case you succeed in doing so, try to put down elbows on floor. Try to lean by the belt line only, keeping back straight.

6. Stay in this final posture for a few seconds and come to normal position while inhaling.

7. Repeat the action with other side also. After performing with one leg, now perform with both legs (joined) and relax.

Benefit of Pashchimottanasana - Practice of Pashchimottanasana helps in trimming down extra fat of abdomen, thus reduces belly inches. Also increases flexibility of spinal column considerably.