Baddha Padmasana (Bound Lotus Pose) registers as 6* on the scale of difficulty. Iyengar explains, “Baddha means caught, restrained. In this position the hands are crossed at the back and the big toes are caught from behind. The body is caught between the crossed legs in front and the crossed hands behind, hence the name.”
When practicing this pose, it’s easy to get caught up – even in the process of reaching the bind. Binding in Baddha Padmasana is challenging since it requires deep chest and shoulder opening. Iyengar provides a great hint on how to move toward the bind: “If the toes are difficult to catch stretch the shoulders back, so that the shoulder-blades are brought near each other. A little practice in swinging the arms back with an exhalation will enable one to catch the big toes.”
If you find your fingers and toes won’t meet, reach your fingers as close to your toes as you can. You will still enjoy the deep chest and shoulder opening of the asana without fully embracing the bind. Rather than getting caught up in the goal of a deep bind, get caught up in the beauty of your heart opening toward love.
