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Awake & Evolve: Cycle 3 – Standing Forward Bend Pose Focus

The third cycle of Awake & Evolve workouts builds strength and endurance in the lower body, with brief meditations to calm the mind and relieve stress.

Mindith Rahmat

Written by Published on Dec 2, 2012

Standing Forward Bend

Start with the feet hip distance apart and slowly bend over, bringing the hands down toward the floor. Keep a small bend in the knees if the hamstrings are tight. Let your head hang, completely relaxed, and close your eyes. Grab opposite elbows to go deeper in the pose. Fold over and hold the pose for 1 minute. Repeat as needed.

Benefits of Standing Forward Bend

Relieves headaches, neck pain, and TMJ.

  • Stimulates digestion and energy to the internal organs.
  • Stretches the spine, hamstrings, calves, and hips.
  • Reduces depression, fatigue, and anxiety.
Mindith Rahmat

About Mindith Rahmat

Mindith is a born mover. She has spent her life exploring various athletic disciplines, starting with ballet and modern dance from an early age. She went on to become a E-RYT 500 certified yoga therapist and teacher and discovered CrossFit after the birth of her daughter.

Mindith coached CrossFit at a number of boxes near her home in Southern California, which lead to her involvement in Russian kettlebells and Olympic weightlifting. She has coached a wide variety of populations and cares deeply for women’s health, specializing in pregnancy and postpartum fitness. She is currently studying the principles of Natural Movement and Kettlebell Sport, and is working to complete an additional teacher training in the Taoist art of Yin Yoga with Master Paulie Zink.

Mindith founded Breaking Muscle in 2011. Over 5 million people a month have visited the site, hundreds of thousands of them follow Breaking Muscle on social media, nearly 2,000 coaches have written or appeared on its pages, and there are thousands of free, fully-formed training plans freely available. Breaking Muscle has won numerous awards in the industry and is recognized for pioneering new approaches to fitness and coaching techniques. In 2021, Breaking Muscle was acquired by Barbend. Mindith continues to devote time to her kids, pursue her doctorate in psychology, do research, and teach.

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