YogaFold
YOGAFOLD · POSE GUIDE
Sleeping Tortoise
Supta Kurmasana
Fold deeply with the legs behind the shoulders and hands connected behind the back in a Tortoise variation.
Supta means sleeping or reclining; kurma means tortoise.
This entry explains preparation and movement characteristics. It does not provide a complete practice procedure for the advanced photographed variation. Learn entry and exit directly with a teacher.
Movement guidance
Preparation
Learn basic Tortoise and hip preparations thoroughly.
Understanding the movement
This deep forward fold combines legs behind the shoulders and a behind-the-back hand bind.
Hold and breathe
Do not fold the neck forward to hold the feet in place. Keep breathing comfortably without holding your breath.
Exit and next movement
Learn the order for releasing the hands and legs directly with a teacher.
Easier variations and preparation
Check the basic form and preparations with a teacher; do not force binds, inversions, or deep backbends.
This advanced variation requires support and range of motion. Check preparation and exit with a teacher when first learning.
Difficulty refers to the photographed form. Individual experience may differ.
Skandasana (Standing Leg-Behind-Head Fold)
Hanumanasana (Monkey / Front Split Pose)
Samakonasana (Middle Split Pose)
Visvamitrasana (Visvamitra's Pose)