Seated Forward Bend - Uttanasana

Stand upright with the feet together and the hands on the hips. While exhaling, bend forward from the hips, keeping the knees straight if possible. Bring the palms or fingertips to the floor or hold the backs of the ankles with the palms. Allow the head to hang down and hold the position.

Benefits:

• This pose is known to calm the brain, improve digestion and stimulate the liver and kidneys.
• It strengthens the thighs and knees and stretches the hips, calves and hamstrings.
• The Standing Forward Bend can relieve stress, mild depression, menopause symptoms, anxiety, fatigue, headache and insomnia.

It has been used therapeutically for asthma, infertility, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and sinusitis.