One-Legged Reclining Big Toe Pose: A Step from Health to Happiness

Dear friends,
A smiling greeting to you all.
A warm welcome to the ‘One Step from Health to Joy’ program..”*

Today we will talk about a yoga pose called Eka Paad Supta Paadangushthasana (One-Legged Reclining Big Toe Pose). This pose is especially helpful for people with leg-related problems. If you often feel pain in your ankles, calves, knees, or thighs, you should do this pose three times a day. It not only strengthens your legs but also increases flexibility in your spine.

How to do this pose:

Step One (with the right leg):

1. First, lie down in Shavasana (relaxing on your back).
2. Bend your right leg and bring it towards your chest.
3. Hold your right big toe with your right hand.
4. Slowly try to straighten your knee.
5. Pull the leg towards yourself as much as you can.
6. Stay in this position for 1 minute.
7. Then gently return to Shavasana and observe your body.

Step Two (with the left leg):

1. Bend your left leg and bring it towards your chest.
2. Hold your left big toe with your left hand.
3. Slowly straighten your knee.
4. Pull the leg towards yourself and stay in that position for 1 minute.
5. Then relax in Shavasana and notice how your body feels before and after the pose.

Alternative method:

If you can’t hold your toe or ankle, you can use a yoga belt, scarf, towel, or bed sheet.

1. Lie down in Shavasana and loop the yoga belt around the ball of your right foot (just under the little toe).
2. Slowly straighten the leg.
3. Make sure both legs are straight and toes are pointing towards your body.
4. Raise your leg up to 90 degrees or more, depending on your ability.
5. Stay in this position for 1 minute, then gently come back to Shavasana.
6. Now repeat the same process with the left leg.

After doing the pose on both sides, relax in Shavasana and let your body become completely loose. Then slowly roll to one side and sit up.

Precautions:

• Both legs should remain straight.
• Toes of both feet should be pulled towards the body.

Benefits:

• It works like a miracle for varicose veins.
• Helps with all kinds of leg-related problems.
• Very effective for pain in ankles, calves, knees, and thighs.
• Increases flexibility in the spine and strength in the legs.

Once again, a warm and smiling greeting to you all.
Keep smiling, keep laughing, and stay joyful!

Thank you very much!

Yogacharya Dhakaram
Founder, YogaPeace Sansthan