Revolved Side Angle Pose Step-By-Step
- From the standing position, step your left leg back and turn the heel to land it on the ground. Bend the front knee and position it above the front ankle.
- Rotate your torso and hips forward. Lean slightly towards the front leg.
- Your left arm should run down the outside of your right leg.
- Begin rotating your chest further to the right, positioning your right shoulder above the left.
- Reach your right arm up and forward, along the same diagonal line as your left leg.
- Stay here for 3-5 breaths, then return to standing. Repeat on the other side.
Revolved Side Angle Pose Quick Look
Sanskrit Name: Parivrtta Parsvakonasana
Pose Type: Standing Yoga Poses, Strengthening Yoga Poses, Twist Yoga Poses
Difficulty Level: Advanced pose
Targets: Spine, torso, shoulders, arms, ribcage, legs, and hips
Benefits: Revolved Side Angle touches upon the entire body. Like other standing poses such as Warrior I and II and Extended Side Angle, Parivrtta Parsvakonasana strengthens the muscles in your legs and ankles. The twist component affects the hips, pelvis, stomach, ribcage, chest, and shoulder. The twisting movement increases flexibility in the spine, which positively affects your posture. Furthermore, the twist provides a gentle massage for the abdominal organs, bringing relief from gastrointestinal or pelvic discomfort. The arm position helps open the chest and broaden the space between the shoulder blades. And, of course, the extension of the top arm elongates the entire side of the body, including the ribcage and armpits.
Preparatory Poses: Extended Side Angle Pose, Lunge Twist Pose, Lizard Twist, Revolved Triangle Pose
Notes
Revolved Side Angle is a twisted variation of the Extended Side Angle Pose, connecting the front knee with the opposite arm. It requires a lot of physical coordination to perform this pose, and it may take a great amount of practice to get there.
“Revolved Side Angle is not as simple as it looks,” says Yoga Answered contributor Cat Harvey. “It’s very nuanced, and it needs more credit than it currently receives.”
Beginner’s Tip
Revolved Side Angle requires quite a severe twist, so take your time to build up flexibility for this pose. To start with, you can keep the back heel lifted. That will allow you to twist the hip and chest in the opposite direction. If touching your forearm to thigh feels too intense, place a block between them to shorten that distance. Some people find it difficult to breathe in this position because the belly is not only twisted but pressed against the thigh as well. It’s important to check in with yourself every step of the way to make sure you are still breathing.