10/10/2026
Learn and teach your students about Seated Forward Bend Pose at https://www.tummee.com/yoga-poses/seated-forward-bend-pose (search “Tummee Seated Forward Bend Pose" on Google).
Level | Beginner
Position | Sitting
Type | Forward-Bend, Stretch
Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend Pose) is a seated foundational pose wherein the upper body is folded forward over the legs and the forehead rests on the knees or below by bending the arms and gripping the wrists beyond the outstretched feet. The word "Paschimottanasana" is derived from three Sanskrit words. Paschima literally means west, but here it means the back of the body; uttana means stretch; and asana means seat or pose. In this asana, the back of the whole body is intensely stretched, hence the name. Considering this fact, it is strongly recommended to practice a warm-up yoga routine to open those tight hamstrings and release the spine. However, this seated forward fold, if practiced as a part of hot yoga, helps to warm up the muscles, allows stretching a little further with ease, and achieves a greater range of motion.
In Paschimottanasana, keeping the spine horizontal, the back is kept straight in a forward bend, leading to a symmetrical extension of the muscles on either side of the spine. This keeps the heart at a lower level than the spine, keeping both the heart and spine healthy. Furthermore, bending from the pelvic region on the outstretched legs offers an intense stretch to the lower back, hips, and hamstrings. This improves blood circulation to the pelvic region and helps the adrenal glands, go**ds, and ovaries function normally.
It benefits the muscles of the lower back,upper back, core (abs), gluteus, hamstrings, hips, and neck.