| Standing forward fold, or uttanasana in Sanskrit, is one | | | | benefits for both the body and mind. Forward fold is |
| of the hatha yoga poses that exudes complete | | | | an inversion, in which the heart is elevated over the |
| surrender. While traveling, whether it be a vacation, | | | | head. This serves to balance the intelligence of the |
| work trip, or yoga travel retreat, moving from one | | | | heart and the mind, which is much needed because of |
| place to another causes both physical and mental | | | | our forward thinking culture. |
| stress. | | | | The posture stretches entire backside of body, |
| Physically, the muscles of the back, hips, and legs begin | | | | elongates the spine, and increases flexibility. Internally, it |
| to tighten as they are likely being held stagnant over | | | | massages the organs and tones the liver, spleen, and |
| extended periods of time either sitting in a small place | | | | kidneys. In forward fold blood circulation is increased to |
| or standing. Mentally, your mind starts to gather | | | | the legs, torso, and brain. |
| stressors in the form of timetables and the to-do list | | | | Many hatha yoga poses embody the concept of |
| you've planned for yourself upon arrival at your | | | | "surrender" and standing forward fold is no exception. |
| destination. These stressors will form into long-term | | | | There is no need to push yourself any further. Simply |
| mental formations (samskaras) that will continue to | | | | melt down, and let gravity do its work. At your next |
| haunt you if not processed. | | | | travel excursion or yoga travel experience, make an |
| Enter, uttanasana: standing forward fold, a posture | | | | intention to practice uttanasana as the stresses of |
| taught at virtually any yoga travel retreat. This posture | | | | travel will be soothed away. |
| is one of the many hatha yoga poses that yields | | | | |