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Namaste everyone - does anyone know any good modifications for this pose? It's always good to get new ideas of how to teach it.

Hi Amanda. I like this less strenuous version:
you don't place your hands on your heels but on your hips, fingers pointing down towards the buttocks
the elbows are behind the body
the head is not fully bent back but remains either completely upright or only slightly bent back, chin is slightly tucked in
focus is on having a strong foundation through the legs by activating the thigh muscles and on opening the chest and therefore the heart center.

You could also try teaching it against the wall. I always practice on a folded blanket - (saves those knees!)

Ask your students to sit back on their knees to start (in virasana) facing the wall. Knees should be nearly touching wall itself. Raise the buttocks off the knees till the body is facing the wall - they could tuck toes under as Viparita suggested, and gently lean back and reach for each heel with the hands - trying to relax the whole body as much as possible. If they don't have the flexibility in the shoulders and back they could use blocks to rest their hands on in the pose.

When my teacher suggested this modification we were taught to try to make sure that our thighs stayed level with the wall - pushing our abdomen forwards - trying to keep the thighs vertical.

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