Seated Forward Bend Partner

Partner yoga brings people together through movement, play, breath, and touch.

Partner Yoga FAQs

Below are some questions from kids and parents that you might get when teaching partner yoga poses…

Does partner yoga cultivate emotional support in friendships?

Yes. Both partners need to rely on each other, which is ideal for cultivating emotional support. Partner poses require balance and focus. They also enhance communication and openness which also cultivates emotional support.

Does partner yoga teach the art of giving and receiving?

Yes. Partner yoga doesn’t just build muscle. It’s also character building.

It’s impossible to do a partner yoga pose and not be learning the fine art of “giving and receiving”. Partners get the opportunity to take the weight of the partner and then give their weight (giving and receiving) to increase the physical benefits of the pose. So, with no words spoken, one of the most important life skills is being cultivated in a partner pose.

Does partner yoga give yourself permission to let go and have fun?

Yes. Partner yoga is just like laughter yoga. Students absolutely love it.

Some shy students might be a bit hesitant, to begin with, but even they quickly enjoy it. Why? Because it’s fun. It’s silly. You fall over. You’re free to make mistakes (fall over and start again). It’s imperative for a healthy life to allow the fun in, by letting go of mistakes. Partner Yoga teaches students to give new things a go, without expecting or needing to be good at them.

What can the power of touch teach?

In partner yoga, you are touched by another human. Touch helps to increase our compassion for others because subconsciously we realize that we are all the same. This “we are the same” message is similar to The Merchant of Venice scene when Shylock says: “Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?”

How important is balance as a life skill?

There will be times in life when chaos will reign and you’ll feel out of balance.

That’s when all the time spent practicing balance poses (e.g. partner yoga poses) comes to your aid. Being physically balanced has the effect of turning the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm into a state of focused calm. The emotional balance of giving and receiving in a partner pose also helps turn stress, anxiety, and overwhelm into a state of focused calm.

Do partner poses deepen the stretch for muscles and ligaments?

Yes. Partner yoga poses help to deepen the stretch for tight muscles and ligaments, without any pain. One partner’s body weight is used to increase the pressure of the other partner’s stretch.

Can partner yoga help take my practice to the next level?

Yes. When you have a partner, you’re able to take stretches and core strength workouts up a notch. For example, in Boat Pose With Partner, you both get to deepen the stretch in the backs of your legs and improve your balance.

That’s it.

If you like this partner pose, you’re gonna love our Yoga Lesson Planner.

Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana) FAQs

What are the three variations of Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)?

Paschimottanasana A
Sit with legs extended. Bend forward from hips. Keep back flat. Wrap fingers around big toes. Fold until the chest touches the thighs. Work heels forwards. Sit bones go back. The heart lifts forwards. Chin points to shins.

Paschimottanasana B
Hold onto the outside of the feet and fold forwards.

Paschimottanasana C
Catch hold of wrists and fold forwards.

And just in case you’d like some more variations, here are nine more to keep you busy on your yoga mat…

Use a strap.

Bend your knees.

Folded blanket (or bolster) under your knees if they are bent.

Keep your legs together

Keep your legs hip distance apart.

Support your upper body with a bolster placed along your legs.

Support your head on a block.

Point toes forward.

Point toes towards you.

What are the benefits of Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)?

It stretches the spine, shoulders, hamstrings and groins.

What is your number one beginner’s tip for the Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)?

If you’re a beginner, you’ll almost certainly need to bend your knees. You can bend the knees as much as you need to make the stretch comfortable. The bend of the knees will reduce the pressure on your lower back and hamstrings.

Is Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana) good for sciatica?

It should be okay, but it might aggravate your sciatica. If it does, it could be a good idea to do some yoga poses that help ease sciatica.