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  • Home
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Forward fold tutorial, plus modifications for beginners

January 5, 2021 //  by Di Hickman//  16 Comments

Interested in how to do a forward fold? Whether you are a beginner looking for the basics or an experienced yogi looking for tips and tricks let’s discuss Uttanasana. In this forward fold tutorial, I’ll explain the pose step-by-step, plus discuss modifications for accessibility.

Step-by-step tutorial for forward fold, plus modifications

Uttanasana, standing forward fold, is a basic yoga pose. It’s a pose done in many yoga classes and often. Yet, as a basic pose, it’s easy to overlook it needing a tutorial. However, sometimes we need to get back to basics and learn with an open mind, and heart.

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Forward Fold Tutorial

Standing forward fold, or Uttanasana, is a misunderstood pose. In a nutshell, it’s folding your body over itself at the hip. However, the reality may not be so easy. In part due to tight muscles, postural issues, and muscle imbalances.

yoga teacher demonstrating forward fold

Standing with the feet approximately hip-distance apart, from the hips hinge forward so that the chest lowers towards the thighs. Let the hands connect to something. Be it the floor, blocks, shins, or a chair. Relax the head, neck, and shoulders.

Experience the pose, and then notice:

  • Where is the weight in feet? On the ball or heel of the foot?
  • Are the feet parallel, pigeon-toed or duck-footed?
  • Do you have more weight to the inside or outside edge of the feet?
  • Does one foot have more weight?
  • Can you straighten the legs?
  • Where do you feel tightness or restriction?

Breathe into your back body allowing yourself to sink and surrender into the fold. Think less about reaching and more about melting.

Modifications for beginners

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned yogi, sometimes we just need some tips and tricks to make the poses more accessible. So in this forward fold tutorial I have added a couple of modifications to ease into the pose a little deeper, with a little less effort.

If you are in the group of people who simply don’t fold, but instead hunch then support! Spinal flexion under load (gravity is a load!) is bad body karma just waiting to squish and pinch your discs.

yoga teacher demonstrating forward fold done incorrectly folding from mid-back

Instead, support the weight of the torso somewhat using a chair or blocks under the hands. Try not to push into the support, but simply allow the arms to fall. Spreading the load.

yoga teacher demonstrating forward fold with upper body supported

Got the hinge, but the hamstrings are screaming? Where is the tension? If it’s in the middle of the muscle at the back of the thigh, then simply back off a little, and wait. However, if the screaming sensation is in the butt, or behind the knee, we need much, much less.

yoga teacher demonstrating forward fold and hamstring tightness

This pulling at either end of the muscle means we’ve gone too far and we need to back off. One of the quick and easy fixes for this is to bend the knees. Yes, newsflash, your legs DO NOT have to be straight. In fact, a micro bend is best to ensure muscular activation. If you try this, notice what new sensations arise now the hamstrings have quietened.

yoga teacher demonstrating forward fold with knees bent

When looking at other forward fold tutorials one modification I rarely see is to elevate the heels. Why lift the heels? Because sometimes what we think is hamstring tightness is actually calf tightness. Try your standing forward fold on a Yoga Wedge, or with the heels lifted on a blanket.

yoga teacher demonstrating forward fold with heels elevated

If by raising the heels your forward fold becomes ten times easier then maybe your calves are your problem. This is also just a fun way to experience the pose and get deeper without pulling too much. We make the pose shift muscular focus.

Sometimes doing less is what we need to progress. Forcing ourselves into poses can lead to pain and injury. Remember that yoga props are there for a reason, and there is no shame in using them!

Questions

  • Can you touch your toes?
  • Do you use props in forward fold?
  • What is your area of muscle tightness?
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eric Gamble

    January 8, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    This Standing forward fold, or Uttanasana is making my hamstrings cry. I get it, I am supposed to bend at the hips but I can just feel my tight hammies pulling. So I guess I would need props to slowly get me stretched out to attain this stance.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 13, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      Definitely use props! Working on deep tissue massage helps!

      Reply
  2. Viano

    January 8, 2021 at 12:07 pm

    Hmmm. I remember doing this when I was younger but I honestly can’t remember the last time I tried it. Give me a sec, let me try it now.

    Just did— without props. Turns out, I still can. Haha! Who knew?

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 13, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      That’s awesome!

      Reply
  3. Britt K

    January 8, 2021 at 8:53 am

    This is one of the few poses that I do know and use in my own practice at home. However, I’ll be honest… I’ve never considered the need for a tutorial on it before now. I spent most of my life doing martial arts, which meant that flexibility wasn’t really a huge issue. However, it is SO important to be aware of the modifications available as you’re working up to something. It’s better to take your time and work up to it than injure yourself trying to rush the process!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 13, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      Yes, we have to realize that as people who move regularly WE are in the minority! That was a huge a-ha moment for me regarding content for this website!

      Reply
  4. Monidipa

    January 7, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    I just tried it now, I was able to do it. I will save it so I can practice it!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      That’s awesome, How did it feel?

      Reply
  5. Nkem

    January 7, 2021 at 8:17 am

    I love the guiding questions you’ve asked when doing the pose. It’s always good to recognize alignment while in practice.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 2:11 pm

      YES. Noticing how our bodies feel is an integral part of yoga IMO.

      Reply
  6. Shar

    January 6, 2021 at 4:30 am

    I find that it’s important to learn the correct way to perform such exercises. I sometimes suffer from backache. so doing it carefully is vital.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      Definitely, maybe check out the backbends like bow pose or camel tutorials!

      Reply
  7. Kemi

    January 5, 2021 at 11:53 pm

    The screaming sensation is always underneath my butt cheek and up/down my thighs. I’ve always thought mt legs have to be straight hence the tightness everywhere. Now I know. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      If it’s screaming into the butt (just above the cheek crease) I suggest bending your knees. That’s the origin of the hamstring and it doesn’t like being pulled!

      Reply
  8. Nisha

    January 5, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    The video was very helpful and good to know the modifications as well, especially for beginners. Glad to know that the knee can have a bend as well and the legs need not be straight.Looking forward to trying this asana .

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 2:09 pm

      Definitely do what you need to do to be comfortable

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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