Challenge Pose: Twist into Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose

Find length in the sides of your body and a deeper twist as you move step by step into Parivrtta Janu Sirsana

More in YOGAPEDIA Bird of Paradise: 5 Steps to Master this Standing Pose

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

Step-by-Step Instructions

Benefit
An invigorating spinal twist and chest opener that releases diaphragmatic tension and intercostal muscles, enhancing breathing. It also removes tension along the spine and lengthens the sides of the waist, stretching the abdominal organs, especially the ascending and descending colon, liver, spleen, and pancreas, enhancing digestion and elimination

Stay Safe

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana makes the hamstrings vulnerable, especially near the sitting bones where the muscles attach. To be safe, contract the quadriceps very powerfully, sending a message to the hamstrings to stop contracting. Pulling the body down in any forward bend when the hamstrings have not released enough to free the spine may damage the lower vertebrae. Take time warming up in Supta Padangusthasana. Move slowly into and out of all of these poses. And remember to stay humble: Remove the striving for accomplishment and instead go for the experience of whatever you can do in the moment.

Janu Sirsasana, variation

Sit in Janu Sirsasana with your left knee bent. Turn your chest toward the bent knee, fingertips on the floor, right hand in front between your legs and your left hand behind your left buttock. On an inhalation, press your fingertips into the floor and lift the bottom of your belly and the sides of your waist. Exhaling, twist left.

See also Janu Sirsasana

Parivrrta Janu Sirsasana, variation

Inhaling, lift your left arm up, alongside your left ear. Bend your right leg, then bend your torso sideways to the right and hold the outside of your right foot with your left hand. Slowly walk your right hand away from your pelvis, in between your legs, until the back of your right rib cage, or the back of the right back, is on the inside of your inner right thigh. Press your inner thigh into your rib cage.

See also A Pretty Twisted Practice

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana, variation

Keeping your right leg bent, turn your right arm to hold your right foot from the inside, thumb down. Pull strongly with your hands, bending your elbows so that the sides of your waist lengthen. Start to bend your right elbow away from your right shin.

See also 5 Revolved Forward Bends

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

Revolved Head-of-the-Knee Pose

Slowly straighten your right leg, maintaining the pressure and contact of your right inner thigh against the back of your right rib cage, and pulling the foot with your arms. After your leg is straight, press your right outer elbow into the floor and press your left elbow toward the floor behind you, opening your chest and twisting your waist. Rest the back of your head on your right shinbone, looking at the ceiling.

For a more advanced stretch, extend your left knee farther from your head. Do not try to press your left sitting bone into the floor; instead, let it rise without trying to lift it.

Stay in the pose for 10 to 30 seconds. To come out, release your left hand first. Untwist your spine, bringing your left hand to the floor in front of your chest. Then release your right hand and use your left hand to push up. Change sides.

See also Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

See also 4 Steps to Master Janu Sirsasana