Hanomanasana--foot of back leg flat?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I usually practice hanomanasana with the top of the back foot against the ground. This is the way most teachers seem to teach it in the classes I’ve been to. But yesterday the teacher (first time I took her class) said that with hanomanasana the back foot must be up ie curl the toes under and heel points up towards the ceiling instead of the foot being flat on the floor. She said that this is the only way to get the proper alignment of the back leg.

I feel torn when one teacher says to do things one way and then another teacher says that they must be done another way.

For me, both ways feel alright so its not a matter of pickign the position that works best for my body–they both do.

So, can anyone shed some light on the best way to perform hanomanasana in terms of that the foot of the leg extended back should be doing? Thanks.

#2

Both ways are fine…keeping the toes of back leg tucked and pressing the heel back helps to keep the back leg in the correct alignment…if the foot is extended it is a little more difficult to stop the leg from rolling out.
If you can maintain correct alignment with the foot extended then it is fine…try both and choose which is best for you.

I like to keep back toes tucked and need my hands on blocks next to my hips as I cannot yet get fully into this asana yet.

#3

Ah, ok. Maybe I’ll try the toes tucked way a few more times and see if I like it better. Guess I’m just used to the foot flat way so hearing this teacher say that it MUST be done the other way through me off a bit. I either keep arms at sides or raised up as it feels glorious :slight_smile: