Angelica Govaert shows how to modify Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana using a strap so more bodies can do it safely. The key: your anatomy might not let your knee touch the ground, and that's fine. Hold for ten breaths, twist your shoulder down, and prioritize feeling good over forcing the traditional form.
Ardha baddha padma paschimottanasana, not the pose for everyone, and that's why there's a strap. Here's a great variation for those who would like to try this pose. We'll start with our right leg forward. The left leg is the leg we're going to bind. Take the strap, wrap it around your foot, and then you'll take your left arm behind you, grab onto the strap, and use that to pull your hand towards your foot. Inhale, reach your right arm to the sky. Exhale, Exhale, fold forward, grab onto the right big toe in a yogi toe lock if that feels comfortable. You can also bring it onto the leg if that is better for you. Fold forward and twist the left shoulder toward the ground, breathing here for 10 full breaths. In most lineages, we're working towards bringing that knee towards the ground, but if people can't do that because of the way their bones are made, well, that's all right. The focus is instead on making sure that they feel great in the posture. For all the yoga, light up the follow button.
