!Paschima Tana!!!I: 30. Having stretched the feet on the ground, like a stick, and having grasped the toes of both feet with both hands, when one sits with his forehead resting on the thighs, it is called Paschima Tana.!!I: 31. This Paschima Tana carries the air from the front to the back part of the body (i.e., to the susumna). It kindles gastric fire, reduces obesity and cures all diseases of men.!!!Svatmarama!Hatha Yoga Pradipika 14th Century

Adhomukha Paschimottanasana !Clasp the big toes of the feet tightly with the first three fingers (thumb, index, middle) of the hands such that the left hand holds the left big toe and the right hand holds the right big toe. Do not raise the knees even slightly. Then, pull in the stomach while doing recaka, lower the head and press the face down onto the knee. The knees should not rise from the ground in this sthiti either… This is called pascimottanasana. In the beginning, everybody will find it very difficult. !The nerves in the back, the thighs and the backs of the knees will feel as though they are being fiercely pulled and this will be extremely painful. The pain will remain for 8 days. After this, the pulling on the nerves will release and it will be possible to do the asana without any problem…You should learn the intricacies of this vinyasa only from a guru. !Prof. T. Krishnamacharya Yoga Makaranda 1934

T. Krishnamacharya in Urdhvamukha Paschimottansana

The Amazing Cristina in Urdhvamukha Paschimottansana

The Superficial Back Line

Illustration and dissection photo from Tom Myers’ “Anatomy Trains”

Height vs. Length: !!

From Tom Myers: The Superficial Back Line from toes to nose up the back of the body - plantar fascia to the left, epicranial fascia to the right. This specimen measured 81

inches (206 cm) when laid out relaxed. “George” (the cadaver) measures about 5′7″ (67 inches, 170 cm). This increase of nearly 20% is partially due to the addition of the

plantar fascia to and epicranial fascia to the length, partially due to the straightening of the primary and secondary curves this line traverses.