in
supta kurmasana the hands are behind the back and not on the floor.
in an alternate option for
supta kurmasana the hands are on the floor, palms facing
up.
then one jumps into tittibhasana.
thanks again everyone for your input !
i believe i have a good answer to my question. reason for palms facing
down in kurmasana:
1 to open up the shoulders
2 this way work will be done that won't get done in supta kurmasana.