Jathara Parivartanasana (Belly Twist) – How To Do It Right

Steps

• Lying on your back, bring your arms out to the sides with the palms facing down in a T position.
• Bend both knees into the chest.
• While exhaling drop both knees over to the left side of your body, twisting the spine and low back. Slide the knees as close to the left arm as possible. Look at finger tips of your right hand.
• Keep the shoulders flat to the floor, close the eyes, and relax into the posture.
• Let gravity pull the knees down, so you do not have to use any effort in this posture.
• Breathe and hold for 6-10 breaths.

Tips to remember

• Remember to gently twist the spine while crossing the leg over.
• Work within the range of your own ability.
• Don’t force the knee to touch the floor, be gentle!
• Try and keep the shoulder blades on the floor.

Benefits

• The back gets strengthened along with the spine and all abdominal muscles.
• It eases stiffness and increases flexibility in the shoulders, chest, hips, lower back and spine.
• The pose helps in proper digestion.
• Blood circulation throughout the body improves.

Contraindications

• Hip pathology
• Pregnancy
• Knee ligament injury