Utthita Pādāṅguṣṭhāsana hip; II, with the raised leg to the side, and the opposite hand stretched out straight to the other side. Students can practise the pose using a strap to hold the extended foot, or a ledge or wall for support; or may keep the knee bent. The pose is at the start of the Primary Series of Ashtanga vinyasa yoga. Utthita Pādāṅguṣṭhāsana Utthita Pādāṅguṣṭhāsana or Utthita Hasta Pādāṅguṣṭhāsana (Sanskrit: उत्थित हस्त पादाङ्गुष्ठासन), Standing Big Toe Hold or Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose is an asana in hatha yoga. The name comes from the Sanskrit words "Utthita" (उत्थित) meaning "extended", "hasta" (हस्त) meaning
Ashtanga vinyasa yoga and never taught by Sharath. However most of his teachers who claim to have been taught by him will teach the above methods, exercises, & postures, even though none of what they teach is part of the Ashtanga method of instruction under Sharath. Pattabhi Jois also did not require students to independently drop back and come up from back bending before progressing to the 2nd series. Sharath changed the requirements, and has now made this mandatory. However, it is important to note that Pattabhi Jois was the founder of the system, and taught each of his original students differently, instructing