In Bow Pose, which setup step is described before lifting into the pose?

In Bow Pose, which setup step is described before lifting into the pose?

• A. Sit tall with legs extended
• B. Gaze down at your mat and align your hips
• C. Bend your knees hip-width distance apart and reach back to capture the outsides of your feet
• D. Stand tall and lengthen spine

Answer: (C)

In Bow Pose the preparation is to bend the knees to hip-width apart and reach back to capture the outsides of the feet. This setup creates both the grip and the leverage needed to lift the chest and thighs off the floor together, forming the characteristic bow shape. Keeping the knees at hip width helps you reach the feet without straining the knees or ankles and keeps the legs aligned for a balanced lift. The other cues don’t describe the specific prep for lifting into this pose: Bow starts from lying on the belly, not seated with legs extended; a cue about gazing at the mat and aligning the hips is a general alignment tip, and standing tall with a lengthened spine pertains to standing poses, not the prone backbend of Bow Pose.

In Bow Pose the preparation is to bend the knees to hip-width apart and reach back to capture the outsides of the feet. This setup creates both the grip and the leverage needed to lift the chest and thighs off the floor together, forming the characteristic bow shape. Keeping the knees at hip width helps you reach the feet without straining the knees or ankles and keeps the legs aligned for a balanced lift. The other cues don’t describe the specific prep for lifting into this pose: Bow starts from lying on the belly, not seated with legs extended; a cue about gazing at the mat and aligning the hips is a general alignment tip, and standing tall with a lengthened spine pertains to standing poses, not the prone backbend of Bow Pose.