Parivrtta Parsvakonasana loosely translates to Revolved/Rotated Side/Lateral Angle Pose. It is one of the basic yoga poses, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, if you have tight hamstrings and spinal muscles, you may find this pose quite challenging.

Depending on your teacher, this pose could be at the beginning of your class or it could come later as a peak pose. No matter where this pose comes in your practice sequence, approach it with a clear focus on alignment and concentrate on exhaling into your rotation to get the most benefit.

Pregnant women or individuals with a hernia, uncontrolled hypertension, or gastritis should not practice this pose.

Parivrtta Parsvakonasana

Remember, this is a beginning level yoga pose, so it’s safe to do at the beginning of a practice. However, don’t be afraid to perform a warm-up if you feel like that’s what you need.

1. We will be using ujjayi breathing.
2. Begin with your right leg forward in a  Warrior 1 stance.
3. Put your hands on your hips. Feel how your hips move as you hinge forward slightly.
4. Reach your left arm so that you feel a straight line of energy from your left foot through your left fingertips.
5. Draw your belly to your spine and rotate toward your right leg.
6. Bring your left elbow to the outside of your right knee.
7. Keep rotating your torso so that your sternum comes to your left thumb. If your spine is tight, this may not happen. Just keep in mind that this rotation is your goal.                                                                                                                Here is an alternative for the arms for this pose:  Place your left hand on a block placed outside your shin and reach your right arm by your ear like you would in Parsvakonasana.
8. Join your palms so that your hands are in prayer position at heart center.
9. Remember to find muscular energy through your legs. Feel your inner thighs scissor towards each other.
10. As you breathe, think of lengthening on the inhale and softening to rotate on the exhale.
11. Breathe 5-8 breaths.
12. To come out of this pose, rotate to center and step up to Tadasana.
13. Follow these directions to do the other side.

Parivrtta Parsvakonasana Video

Here’s a video for visual learners.

What do you do to prepare for Parivrtta Parsvakonasana? Let us know in the comments below.

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