Balance, as it turns out, isn’t always still.
There’s a moment when you lift your foot and extend it forward in hand to big toe pose – Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana – that feels like anything could happen. You might hold steady and breathe through it… or you might wobble, laugh, and have another go.
When I first started practising this pose, I thought the aim was to stay perfectly still, like a statue. But over time, I’ve realised that real balance isn’t about freezing in place – it’s about responding, adjusting, and staying present through all the little shifts.
This pose has taught me a lot. About patience, focus, and letting go of the need to get it “perfect”. Some days my leg lifts easily. Other days, I bend the knee or use a strap and just work with where I am. It’s all part of the practice.
A Few Benefits of the Pose
Physically, hand to big toe pose is brilliant for:
- Building balance and stability – especially in the standing leg and ankle
- Stretching the hamstrings and calves
- Strengthening the core muscles
- Opening the hips and improving control in the lifted leg
- Sharpening focus and concentration
It’s one of those poses that works both body and mind – grounding and uplifting all at once.
So, if you find yourself wobbling – on the mat or in life – know that it’s all part of the process. Balance isn’t about being perfectly still; it’s about finding your centre even when things shift.
And each time you fall out of a pose and come back in, you’re not just building strength in your body – you’re strengthening your ability to adapt, stay grounded, and keep going. That’s the real practice.
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