Positions/Plate XVI
Humble
Also called: Humble position, forehead to the floor, arms stretched out on the floor
Kneeling, forehead on the floor, arms stretched out in front of you, back arched: lowering yourself, and staying there.
How to take it
From the kneeling position, spread your knees wide and let your upper body come down forward, between your thighs. Slide your hands along the floor as far as you can: your arms stretch out in front of you, one hand resting on the other, palms to the floor (or side by side, if your shoulders prefer). Your forehead rests on the floor or on a cushion, between your arms. Then arch your lower back: your chest sinks toward the floor, your buttocks rise above your heels, and your back curves inward instead of rounding.
What it says
You do not bow only to come straight back up, and you are not resting: you stay stretched out on the floor, without seeing the other person, while they decide what comes next. Some lists also make it the position for apologies.
Variants
- Wrists slightly crossed, as in several lists.
- Forearms flat on the floor, forehead resting on your hands, gentler on the shoulders.
- A thick cushion between your thighs and your belly, when your hips or your back won’t go down.
The call“Humble.”