Vasisthasana

The name of this pose is named after one of the great sages; Vasistha. The full pose is with the top leg extended towards the sky as you hold on to the big toe which requires a lot of strength, flexibility & balance, but there are many different variations for this pose that you can read about below!

Alignment Principles

Start in down dog
Inhale to shift forwards into a half plank
Step your right hand 1-2 inches forwards so that it’s slightly in front of your right shoulder
Step your right foot up enough so that when you spin the heel out to a 45 degree angle, the foot plants (ground down through the inside edge of your right foot for more stability!)
Exhale to open the hips to the left, stepping your left foot in front of your hips (think modified side plank!) and taking your left hand to your left hip
Inhale to draw the left knee into your chest as you grab your big toe with your left peace fingers
Exhale to extend the leg straight and open the hips more as you draw the foot towards the sky
Lift through the hips and open the heart towards the sky, keeping the pelvis moving slightly forwards
Keep the lifted foot flexed
Take gaze up towards top foot

Prep. Poses:

Modifications/Variations:

Use a strap around the lifted leg
Take any side plank variation: top leg in tree, top leg in star, modified with top leg in front of hips, legs stacked