Spring is finally here! While the season may have officially arrived a week or two ago, it was only in the last couple of days that my part of the country has managed to shake the cold weather.
Spring is all about rebirth and cleaning things out, making it an excellent time to introduce some twists into your yoga practice. Twisting postures squeeze and release your organs, helping detoxify them and infuse them with fresh blood. Because of these detoxifying benefits, I also like to incorporate twisting postures into my practice when I have returned home from a trip.
Twisting postures can also help strengthen your back muscles, something that is especially important for travelers. Having a strong back can make the act of traveling in planes, trains, and automobiles less painful, and can also help you with toting around your luggage.
Here are a few twisting postures that I am loving right now:
Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
This seated posture is a nice, gentle twist to get you started.
Revolved Triangle Pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana)
Revolved Triangle Pose is the twisted version of the familiar Triangle Pose. To reach it, stand like you are getting ready to enter Triangle Pose, but instead of bringing your front arm down over your front leg, twist your body so that your hip points are facing forward and bring your back arm down over your front leg while stretching your front arm into the air.
Revolved Side Angle Pose (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana)
To get into Revolved Side Angle Pose, stand as though you will enter regular Side Angle Pose, but instead of placing your front hand on the ground on the inside of your front leg, twist your torso and place it on the outside of your front leg. Twist across your body as you bring your back arm overhead at an angle. As you can see, I like to use a block when I practice this pose – the block can add height and make it more accessible for you.
Revolved Half Moon Pose (Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana)
I use the word “loving” loosely with this posture. Regular Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) has long been my arch-nemesis, and revolving the posture does not make it any fun. This can be a challenging pose, so remember to be kind to your body. I couldn’t even get a decent picture of myself in this pose – I don’t refer to it as my arch-nemesis for nothing!
What are your favorite springtime twists? Let me know in the comments!
Image credit: Revolved Half Moon Pose by Amy