PARIVRITTA PARSHVAKONA ASANA

In Sanskrit Parivritta means revolved, turned round or back, Parsva means side and Kona means angle. Hence the Sanskrit name for this posture is Parivritta Parshvakona Asana. This is an easy posture of yoga even for the beginners and does not require much practice to master.

TECHNIQUE

Stand upright in Tada Asana with the feet closed together and the arms by your sides.

Parivritta Parshvakona Asana

Take a deep breath and spread both of your legs 3 or 4 feet apart from each other. The legs should be apart by a little more than your shoulder distance.

Stretch your arms straight out from the shoulders parallel to the floor with your palms facing down.

Now, exhale while turning the right foot towards the 90 degrees angle. At the same time, you should bend knee of your right foot about 90 degrees.

Place the palm of your left hand flat on the floor next to the outside of your right foot. Then, put your right elbow on the outer side of your right knee.

Now stretch your right arm over to your head. The arm should lie parallel to the ground and the inner side of your elbow should rest on your ear. Stay in this position for 30-60 seconds. You must breathe gently and through your nostrils while holding this position.

Then, bring your arm down and straighten your right leg. Close both of your legs and come back to the standing position or Tada Asana. Do not hurry while coming back to the standing position. Do it slowly lest it may cause damage to your muscles.

Now, repeat the same sequence on your left side to complete one round of this posture.

You can repeat this posture for two to six times in one yoga session. You should start by practicing it twice and then gradually increase it to six.

Hold the posture on each side for as long as is comfortable. Performing the Parivritta Purvashakona Asana once on each side is considered one repetition. Do 2 or 3 repetitions.

BENEFITS

This Asana has many benefits. It stretches our muscles on the sides of the upper body and gives them strength and flexibility.

The Parivritta Parshvakona Asana stretches the muscle group along the side of the torso.

This posture also strengthens the ankle, calve and thigh muscles.

Our arms also benefit from this posture.

This posture is an excellent way to tone the hips and waist muscles.

This posture also strengthens the digestive system and thus aids digestion, stimulates blood circulation and assists in restoring strength and flexibility to the spine.