Stretch your spine, improve posture & mobility, stimulate digestion, & more in Simple Seated Twist Pose…
Simple Seated Twist Pose (Vakrasana) – also sometimes known as Spinal Twist Pose, Seated Twist, or Twisted Pose – is a beginner level seated yoga pose that offers a gentle stretch for the hips, spine, shoulders, neck, and core muscles. It is thought to promote stability and improve posture, stimulate the thyroid and internal organs, and improve digestion. It is traditionally believed to balance the Root, Sacral, and Solar Plexus chakras.
If you have trouble sitting cross-legged with your back straight, you may also sit on a cushion or yoga block to elevate your hips. Another variation that might be helpful is to straighten one leg in front of you, and cross the other ankle outside the extended leg. Turn towards the bent leg, and hook your elbow to the outside of the bent knee. This helps take some of the pressure off of the hips.
This gentle pose should be suitable for most practitioners, but those with recent or chronic injury to the spine or knees, who suffer from sciatica, or who are beyond the first trimester of pregnancy should skip this one.
How to Do Simple Seated Twist Pose:
- Sit cross-legged with one leg folded in front of the other and your back straight.
- Bring your left hand to your right knee and place your right fingertips on the mat behind you. Inhale, sit up tall—lengthen your spine. Exhale, twist from the base of your spine to the right.
- Make sure that your spine is straight before taking the twist and keep your eyes at eye-line.
- Hold the pose for 3-5 breaths. When inhaling, think of lengthening your spine upwards, and when you exhale, try to deepen the twist.
- Return to center, and repeat on the other side.
Learn More at Yoga15.com…
