Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana

Half Bound Lotus Forward Fold

Sanskrit: Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana
English: Half Bound Lotus Forward Fold
Sequence: Seated · step 65 of 124
Held for: 5 breaths
Drishti: Padhayoragrai, toes
Sides: Right and left

Getting into Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana

Sitting in Dandasana, bend your right knee and place your right foot high on your left hip crease in half-lotus. Reach your right arm around your back to catch your right foot, then fold forward over your straight left leg, catching the left foot with your left hand.

Described on the right side. On the left, swap right for left throughout.

What a teacher would tell you

Bind the foot behind the back.
Square the hips forward.
Fold evenly over the straight leg.

These are the corrections My Ashtanga speaks aloud while you hold the posture.

The whole series, counted aloud in Sanskrit or English: My Ashtanga on the App Store · the full sequence · printable chart