BENEFITS
- Stimulates the abdominal organs
- Tones the liver and spleen
- Stretches the spine and shoulders
- Relieves back and hip pain
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Pregnancy
- Spine injury
- High or low blood pressure
- Migraine or headache
- Diarrhea
HOW TO
- Begin sitting in Dandasana (Staff pose). Bend your left knee and place the sole of your left foot on the floor, close to the groin and against the right leg.
- Exhale and rotate your torso to the left. Reach your right arm outside of your left thigh. Turn your palm to face behind you. Twist further so that your right shoulder is outside of your left knee.
- Bend your right arm and bring your hand behind your back. Then exhale and reach your left arm behind you. Hold onto your fingers, hands, or wrists.
- Exhale and twist further. Gaze toward your toes or over your left shoulder.
- Stay in the pose for several breaths. Inhale and untwist. Change sides.
MODIFY OR REPLACE
Alternatives:
Modifications:
- Clasp your fingers behind your back rather than your hands or wrists.
SEQUENCING TIPS
Before:
After:
TEACHING CUES
- Draw your shoulders away from your ears.
- Press the extended leg into the floor.
- Activate the extended leg.
- Flex the foot of the extended leg.
- Twist from your core.
VARIATIONS
- Marichyasana IV (Marichi’s pose IV)
WATCH OUT FOR
- Shoulders scrunching near the ears
- Extended leg splaying out to the side