Standing Half Forward Bend (Ardha Uttanasana)

1. One of the biggest form mistakes I see in this pose is arching your low back to lift up, instead of leading with your chest. Imagine lifting your body up with your chest and moving your shoulders down your back. This should release tension in your back and shoulders instead of adding more to it!

2. My hands and arms are limp and dangling! You may not know this, but you actually have a few options for your hands in this pose. I prefer hands on floor, however you can also put them on your shins, outside your feet or above your knee. Remember to never put pressure directly on your knees!

3. My weight is in my heels, causing a strain from the back of my legs to my spine. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed in all four corners of your feet! This will help you feel the stretch in all the right places! My gaze is also too far forward (just look a few inches ahead) and my butt is behind my ankles (try to keep them lined up)!

PROP MODIFICATION: BLOCKS

 I love to take my hands to blocks to bring the floor closer. If straightening your legs is uncomfortable, you can always bend your knees!