18 – Forward bend with both feet drawn in (Ryōashi hiite mae ni taosu)
Name
Ryōashi hiite mae ni taosu (両足引いて前に倒す)
Forward bend with both feet drawn in
Romaji instruction
Hai, ryōashi hiite.
Draw in both legs.
Ashi no ura awasete.
Place the soles of the feet together.
Mae ni.
Forward.
Hara tsuku yō ni.
Bring the abdomen toward the feet.
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū, jū.
Counting
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyū, jū
Description
The practitioner sits with the soles of the feet together and the knees open to the sides.
The feet are held lightly with the hands.
From this position, the upper body bends forward from the hips while the back remains long.
With each count, the position is gradually deepened while the knees sink downward.
Purpose
- increase hip mobility
- stretch the inner thighs
- improve flexibility
- prepare for kicks and wide stances
Technical key points
- initiate the movement from the hips
- keep the back long
- allow the knees to sink naturally
- deepen the position gradually
Comment
The exercise returns to a symmetrical position and develops hip mobility.