Want to learn more about Ardha Uttanasana, aka Half Forward Fold Pose? In this post, I share the benefits of Ardha Uttanasana, a complete pose breakdown, contraindications, modifications and more.
Ardha Uttanasana is common in vinyasa classes as it follows Uttanasana in the Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation) sequences. In Ardha Uttanasana, you lift your upper body to stretch out your spine which helps you prepare for stepping or floating back into the rest of the Sun Salutation.
I see this pose practiced regularly with hands on shins or even off the ground floating in space. I much prefer students to touch the ground, either with their fingertips on the ground, or hands on blocks, or hands flat if possible. If it’s not possible to touch the ground, simply bend your knees or pile up yoga blocks until you can touch the ground.
But why?
When you bring your hands off the ground in a forward fold — even if just for a split second as you transition from Uttanasana to Ardha Uttanasana — your hamstrings fire up to protect your lower back. That’s the opposite of what we want, because in this pose you are working to find more length and flexibility for your hamstrings.
When your hands are supported in Ardha Uttanasana, your hamstrings can let go — this is when they start to lengthen.
So bend your knees, keep touching the ground. Over time you will be able to bend your knees less and less and finally do the pose with straight legs.
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Ardha Uttanasana Quick Facts
| Sanskrit | Ardha Uttanasana |
| English | Half Forward Fold Pose This pose is also known as: • Standing Forward Bend Pose • Half Standing Forward Fold Pose • Half Intense Stretch Pose |
| Pronunciation | ARR-dah OOT-tahn-NAHS-uh-nuh |
| Meaning | Ardha means half. Ut means intense. Tan means to stretch. Asana means pose or posture. The pose name literally translates as Half Intense Stretch Pose. It doesn’t mean half as intense, but instead refers to your torso being lifted halfway up from the forward fold. |
Ardha Uttanasana Benefits
Note: I only include the scientifically supported benefits of Ardha Uttanasana here. Plenty of claims about other supposed benefits (from the plausible to the magical to the ridiculous) have been made. To me, pseudo-scientific claims only serve to harm the yoga community, so I choose not to give them airtime here.
The main physical benefits of Ardha Uttanasana include:
- Stretches hamstrings and calf muscles.
- Stretches the front torso.
- Strengthens quads.
- Strengthens the back (specifically erector spinae muscles, but others as well).
- Extends the spine.
- Develops flexibility in the hips and hamstrings.
- Strengthens glutes (butt muscles).
- Strengthens core muscles.
- Helps to strengthen ankle joints
- Can help to improve overall balance.
- Builds strength in the neck.
- Helps strengthen shoulder stabilizers.
If you want more on the benefits of yoga, see our complete guide to the benefits of yoga, which includes a history of yoga plus the origins of our modern yoga practice and much more.
Precautions & Contraindications
Remember that while yoga is for everyone, not all poses are for all people! If your body requires some extra support in this pose, see the Modifications section below for ideas on how to do this pose safely.
- With any neck injury, don’t lift the head to look forward, but look down at the ground.
- If you have herniated vertebral discs, I recommend placing your hands on yoga blocks, on the wall, or on a yoga chair (see Modifications) rather than on the ground.
- If you have sciatica, bend your knees to protect your lower back.
- Hamstring injuries can cause discomfort in this pose. Instead of keeping straight legs, bend your knees.
- If you have an abdominal hernia, modify by using a wall or yoga blocks (see Modifications).
- If you are in the late-second, or third, trimester of pregnancy you may want to practice Ardha Uttanasana with your feet wide enough apart so that your lower belly is not pressing into your thighs. You may also want place you hands on the seat of a chair or the wall (see Modifications).
Ardha Uttanasana Pose Breakdown
How to do Ardha Uttanasana / Half Forward Fold Pose
- Stand in Tadasana with your feet hip-distance apart. For a more advanced version of Ardha Uttanasana bring your feet together.
- Reach your arms overhead in Urdhva Hastasana and stretch before folding forward.
- Fold forward and place your hands on the ground. If you can keep your legs straight and touch the ground (without your back rounding excessively) then do. However, if your back rounds or you cannot touch the ground, bend your knees. If you can keep your legs straight and place your hands flat on the ground, you may.
- Come up onto your fingertips, with your hands shoulder distance apart. Gently pull back with your fingertips.
- Straighten your arms and lift your torso until your torso is close to parallel to the ground. For a more advanced version of Ardha Uttanasana place your hands flat on the ground and lift your chest from there. This takes a great amount of flexibility in your hamstrings and strength in your erector spinae.
- Lengthen through all sides of your neck. Look down, or very slightly look forward. I like to imagine eyes on the top of my head, then I try to look straight ahead with those imaginary eyes.
- Squeeze your legs towards each other, push down through your feet, and lift through your sit bones.
- Tone your belly and lengthen through your spine.
- Move your shoulders away from your ears and lengthen through your whole neck and spine.
- This is Ardha Uttanasana.
- To come out, return to Uttanasana. Alternatively, place your hands on your waist, bend your knees a little, and stand up.
- Tadasana makes a good counter pose to Half Forward Fold.
Note: In the final form, this pose is done with feet together and hands flat on the ground. However, feet hip-distance apart is more accessible to students. It allows for more movement in the pelvis to fold forward, and helps create more space for lengthening the hamstrings.
Modifications & Variations
If your hands can’t touch the ground with straight legs
Don’t worry! This is perfectly normal.
The best thing you can do is to bring your hands onto something, whether it’s the floor or a prop.
I recommend bending your knees until you can touch the ground. You can also can get two yoga blocks and place them under your hands.
With your hands on the ground or blocks it will give your hamstrings a chance to release and start to lengthen, which won’t happen if you hang in mid-air with your hands off the ground.
To work your spinal extension
To get more extension of your spine, you can practice Half Forward Fold with your hands placed flat against a wall (or on a chair) at hip height. Work to bring your upper body parallel to the floor.
If you have tight hamstrings, you will get a lot of benefit from bending your knees here as well.
If your back rounds
Bend your knees and bring your hands down to the ground or onto yoga blocks and work to find the natural curve of your lower back. This will set you up for finding the natural curves along the full length of your spine.
If you have a back injury
If you suffer lower back pain, including sciatica or pain caused by hypermobility, place your hands on yoga blocks, on the wall, or on the seat or back of a yoga chair.
If you suffer from herniated vertebral discs, do not bend forward completely. Instead, place your hands on yoga blocks, the wall or a yoga chair. And I highly recommend you bend your knees. If the pose causes any pain, stop doing the pose.
If you have a neck injury
Even though Ardha Uttanasana only involves a slight lift of your chin, do not lift your head at all if you have a neck injury. Instead, keep your gaze down to the floor and lengthen through all sides of your neck to help build strength in your neck.
If you have an abdominal hernia
Modify by using a wall or yoga blocks. If the pose causes pain in the area of your hernia, come out of the pose.
If you are pregnant
If you are in the late-second, or third, trimester of pregnancy you may want to practice Ardha Uttanasana with your feet wide enough apart so that your lower belly is not pressing into your thighs. You may also want place you hands on the seat of a chair or the wall.
If your feet turn out
If your feet or knees turn out when practicing Ardha Uttanasana, place a yoga block between your thighs and squeeze the block. This will help you build strength in your inner thighs (adductor muscles).
If balance is difficult
If you find it difficult to balance, separate your feet and place a yoga block between your thighs. This will help build strength, stability and confidence.
If you have low blood pressure
It is recommended that you do not bring your head below your heart when you have low blood pressure. If you can’t do Ardha Uttanasana without bringing your head below your heart, modify this pose using a wall or the back of a yoga chair.
Face the wall and fold forward until your torso is parallel to the ground, place your hands on the wall, and push your hands into the wall and feet into the ground. You can also use the seat or back of a yoga chair to support you. Take extra care when returning to standing. Move slowly and be sure to steady your breath. If you feel light headed, sit down.
If you have a hamstring injury
Modify this pose using a wall. Face the wall and fold forward until just before the point of pain in your hamstrings. Reach out and place your hands on the wall, and push your hands into the wall and feet into the ground.
You can also use the seat or back of a yoga chair to support you. It can take a long time to heal a hamstring injury, so please practice patience.
Yoga Poses Related to Forward Fold Pose
Preparatory Poses
- Prasarita Padottanasana / Wide Leg Forward Fold
- Ardha Prasarita Padottanasana / Half Wide Leg Forward Fold
- Adho Mukha Svanasana / Downward Facing Dog Pose
- Janu Sirsasana / Forehead to Knee Pose
- Ardha Bhekasana / Half Frog Pose
- Balasana / Child’s Pose
- Dandasana / Staff Pose
Follow-up Poses
Poses To Take Your Practice Further
- Parsva Uttanasana / Side Forward Fold
- Parivrtta Uttanasana / Revolved Forward Fold
- Paschimottanasana / Seated Forward Fold Pose
- Parivrtta Paschimottanasana / Twisted Seated Forward Fold Pose
- Padahastasana / Hand Under Foot Pose
- Padangusthasana / Big Toe Pose
- Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana / Half Bound Lotus Forward Fold
Related Posts & Videos
- Post: Uttanasana Benefits & Pose Breakdown
- Post: Hasta Uttanasana Benefits & Pose Breakdown
- Video: Ardha Uttanasana Pose Breakdown
Gear & Resources for This Pose
- BKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga
- Darren Rhodes Yoga Resource Practice Manual
- Sustainable Cork Yoga Mat by Corq
- Cork Yoga Blocks
- Folding Yoga Chair
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A Final Note About Forward Fold Pose
For the record, and to emphasize that it’s best to slow down and not rush to achieve some idealized version of this pose, I want you to be aware that I rarely do Uttanasana or Ardha Uttanasana with straight legs for at least the first third of any practice I do.
I like to give myself time and space to open into poses. Yoga practice is for expanding your body and mind, so take your time, don’t rush, and slowly let your practice take you deeper.
Namaste OMies, Stephen 
I hope this post has been helpful in sharing more about Ardha Uttanasana and where you can go with the pose. It’s my goal to inspire you to explore your yoga practice more deeply — and this is a pose that, with practice, will offer you the opportunity to go deeper inside while also finding the strength to open up.
