Utthita Hasta Pādāṅguṣṭhāsana A: The standing pose with the big toe to the hand

Vinyāsa 1 – Inhale:
Inhale your right arm in front of you, approximately horizontal. At the same time, lift the right leg straight up. A little swing is enough to bring the foot high enough to catch the big toe with the index and middle finger of your right hand.

Note: Be sure to really try to develop balance in this pose. Of course using a wall you can hold your leg higher, but there are lots of opportunities in the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga to develop flexibility. Focus here on balance.

Vinyāsa 2 – Exhale:
Exhale the torso over the extended right leg as you draw your right elbow to the side. To maintain balance, the center of gravity of your pelvis has to go as far backwards and the upper body forwards. Traditionally the gaze is to the big toe (Pādāgra Dṛṣṭi).

Stay here until the fifth breath.

Try this: In time you will be able to touch the right shin with your chin while your leg

The flow of motion continues into the following postures (greyed out, description on following page)

Effect: The standing big toe to hand pose (utthita hasta pādāṅguṣṭhāsana) in variant A combines balancing on one leg with strength and flexibility. The more important aspect of this pose is the balance challenge of the standing leg. Balance requires time to develop. Good balance helps us to maintain stability and stand strongly, even on shaky ground.