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  • Home
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Purvottanasana for beginners – modifications, variations and progressions

April 12, 2022 //  by Di Hickman//  7 Comments

Recently I had a little bit of an epiphany. My brain doesn’t work the “typical” way. While I personally like watching short informative videos (usually on 1.5 speed) when creating content, especially tutorials, I want to spill out EVERYTHING about the subject. Time to reign in it, with shorter and more niched content. So today we’re discussing reverse purvottanasana for beginners. Just the basics modifications and progression variations.

If you can’t view the embedded video above, you can view the video on YouTube. Maybe add it to a playlist? Above all, remember to subscribe to my channel. New videos are uploaded regularly. However, for exclusive longer format videos sign up for my Patreon community. Each month we explore poses, transitions, and trouble areas. Patrons also get early access to all my videos, along with lots of other benefits. You join today for as little as $1 a month

Purvottanasana for Beginners Modification

So before even thinking about doing your full reverse plank try this simple and quick test. Just to check your wrist, arm, shoulder and core strength. Come to seated, knees bent, and feet on the floor about hip distance apart. Place your arms comfortably behind you. Pushing down with the hands and feet can you lift the pelvis up level with the knees and shoulders?

yoga teacher demonstrating reverse tabletop pose

Things to check here:

  • Are your shoulders pulling back?
  • Is your chest open or sinking?
  • How do your wrists/shoulders feel?
  • Where is your bum? Sinking? Or level with knees/shoulders?
  • How long can you hold the pose?

If you can do this purvottanasana for beginners modification then you can start to work on progressions to make it more challenging. If this pose is already difficult, there are ways to provide ease using props. But that’s another post for another day!

More Variations for pose progression

So what to do if both knees bent seems easy enough, but you don’t feel ready for both legs straight? Simple! Just extend one leg. This also has the upside that you have to do both legs extended so you have to repeat it giving you a little more core work!

yoga teacher demonstrating reverse plank modification

Mastered that but still don’t feel ready for both legs straight? Change the position of the bent leg! Easies is with the foot level with the opposite knee (or thigh). But work on gradually lengthening the leg by repositioning the foot level with the shin, and then the ankle.

yoga teacher demonstrating reverse plank modification

Again work on BOTH sides. Gradually increasing the time spent in the pose. Until, you finally feel ready to explore the variation with both legs straight.

yoga teacher demonstrating purvottanasana

Remember a strong core is important, and hopefully these tips help you on that journey! If you have questions, just reach out in the comments or email me

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upward plank purvottanasana

Want more?

If you’re looking for real yoga for real bodies, consider joining my Patreon. Each month I release two yoga classes exclusively for my Patreon community. On the other hand, other ways to find more yoga with me are signing up for my 7-day yoga challenge, or subscribing to my YouTube channel. Remember you can get your reminder to practice more with my “do more yoga” t-shirt.

Questions

  • Can you do purvottanasana?
  • Which modification is more your level?
  • Do you prefer shorter videos/posts?
Previous Post: « Bird Dog Movement – Stability vs Mobility
Next Post: Somatic Yoga Cat Cow for Lower Back Pain »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Khushboo

    April 26, 2022 at 1:14 pm

    This pose is new for me . I will like to try it too. Yoga poses are so good for overall body

    Reply
  2. Clarice

    April 24, 2022 at 11:45 pm

    Thank you for sharing the tip! I find this a bit challenging so I truly appreciate the modification. This totally makes sense.

    Reply
  3. Amalia

    April 22, 2022 at 9:00 am

    Thank you so much for these tips, once a week I’m doing yoga all on my own and this will help me try new poses.

    Reply
  4. Lyosha

    April 17, 2022 at 5:06 pm

    it is one of my favorite poses to do. It feels great on my body and I often add it to my personal practice. I find it an easy pose for my body but as it makes me feel light and happy I do it very often

    Reply
  5. Lori Bosworth

    April 17, 2022 at 1:43 pm

    I like how you have provided the modification to test our wrist, arm and shoulder strength because I’m not sure if I have the strength yet to do the full pose!

    Reply
  6. Shar

    April 14, 2022 at 5:52 am

    It’s so important to know the dos and don’ts for a proper yoga posture. When practising at home on your own, as a beginner, going wrong can be an issue.

    Reply
  7. Michael

    April 12, 2022 at 5:55 pm

    What a timely post since my back and shoulders are kind of aching from playing badminton a lot!

    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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