How to Do the Sleeping Big Toe Pose With a Yoga Strap

While the sleeping big toe yoga poses are not the most advanced of asanas, they require a great deal of flexibility in the legs. Because the backs of the legs are often a sensitive area in the body, many beginner yogis overlook these poses due to discomfort. Adding a yoga strap to your practice can help you to practice these poses and increase your flexibility without the pain.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Lie on your back with your arms resting at your sides and your feet extended in front of you. Flex your feet so that your toes are drawing in towards your torso, and keep them flexed through the sleeping big toe pose. Place a yoga strap in arm's reach of your body in preparation for the pose.

2. Inhale deeply and as you exhale, lift your right foot high into the air, keeping the knee straight and the toes flexed. Lift your upper body just enough to carefully slip the yoga strap over the ball of your foot and then firmly grip the ends with both hands.

3. Relax your upper body back down to the mat and pull gently onto the strap, feeling a stretch through the back of the leg. Hold this position for five deep breaths, inching your hands up the strap towards your feet and dropping the leg closer to your torso.

4. Exhale after holding and release your left arm from the strap, allowing it to rest on the floor beside you. Lower your leg slowly and gently out to the side, maintaining your hold on the yoga strap with your right hand. Drop the leg as far as you can, comfortably, and turn your head to the left and hold for five deep breaths.

5. Lift the leg back to center as you inhale and then lower it to the floor. Repeat the sleeping big toe pose on the left side.

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