Uttanasana

Uttanasana "(forward bend)" is a hatha yoga posture, one of the most 'popular', utilized in most hatha yoga classes.

The posture consists of standing with feet together, then hinging forward from the hips, letting the head hang, with palms placed flat on the floor near the feet.

Practitioners suggest that this posture provides these benefits:
* Provides a complete stretch to the entire back side of the body.
* Rejuvenates the spinal nerves.
* Removes depression, makes the mind peaceful and calm.
* Tones the kidneys, liver, and spleen.
* Increases flexibility of the spine, hips, sciatic nerves, tendons, and ligaments of the legs.
* Improves blood circulation in the legs.
* Calms and rejuvenates the nervous system as it soothes the brain cells.
* Releases anxiety.
* Provides nourishment to the facial skin, scalp, and hair roots.
* Improves eyesight and hearing.
* Stretches the hamstrings.

Because of its great popularity, this posture has a very large number of variations and associated techniques.

Risks

This pose has been criticized by some practitioners of kinesiology, physical therapy, and others, who recommend a seated rather than standing forward bend. For further information on potential risks and alternatives, see:

*http://www.betterhealthchannel.com.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Exercises_that_could_be_harmful?OpenDocument
*http://starbulletin.com/96/07/03/sports/bodytalk.html
*http://www.drbookspan.com/BadExercisesArticle.html
*http://www.soccerdivas.com/stretching.htm

Paschimottanasana is a safer variant of this frontbend, done sitting, which relies more upon active flexibility of the muscles in its later stages. It is more difficult to attain similar flexibility since gravity cannot passively aid the stretch as much as in Uttanasana. Also, once the hands are able to bear more and more weight in Uttanasana it becomes safer and the difference in safety and customizability becomes less dramatic.

ee also

*List of Hatha yoga postures