Parivratta Parsvakonasana - Yoga Pose for Improved Digestion and Detoxification

Let me confess upfront - Parivratta Parsvakonasana has been one of the most difficult pose to master for me personally. When I started thinking of practicing Yoga as per Iyengar system, one of the initial standing poses I found in the book was Parivratta Parsvakonasana. This is part of the standing poses which build up strength and also prepares you for the advanced poses.

I do not claim to be Yoga guru, but have experience of practicing various poses over the years. But, this pose has proved itself to be deceptively difficult. Many time I have lost balance and fell down while practicing this pose. Still, I love this pose and feel a certain thrill in anticipation of practicing this pose.

Parivratta Parsvakonasana is combination of spinal twist, forward bend, abdominal press and also lateral stretching of the body combined with leg strengthening. In my opinion this pose from me is still not at perfection but I am getting there. I feel even reaching this stage is quite a good achievement and provides all the benefits mentioned below. By the way, like the previous post, this picture was also taken near the Mississippi river on a Sunday morning in October 2010.

Steps to Practice Parivratta Parsvakonasana

• Stand with the hands stretched apart parallel to the ground and the legs separated around 4 feet apart.
• With exhalation turn the right ankle towards right and adjust the left ankle accordingly.
• Inhale for 2 to 3 times, then bend right leg at the knee and ensure that the thighs are parallel to the ground. See the Virbhadra Asana II to see the position.
• Now, slowly turn your body towards the right and try to look back towards the right hip and move the right hand back.
• Stay in this position for few breaths. Ensure the the feet are firm.
• Now slowly try to bring the left hand outside the left leg and try to place it on the ground. It is important that you try to place the left shoulder outside the right knee.
• Look up and bring the right hand up and right chest should be pushed as much up as possible.
• Stay for around 10 seconds and then come out of the pose and repeat on the other side.

It is difficult to understand the instruction at one go. It would be good to see the final pose and also read the instructions more than once. Important thing while in the initial stage is to keep the hind leg firm, and try to have the balance on the inner toe side of the hind leg.

If you keep on getting dis-balanced while raising the right hand then do not raise the hand. Ensure that the twist of the torso is to your maximum ability.

Benefits of Parivratta Parsvakonasana

• Increases the digestive power and helps relieve constipation since abdomen is pressed.
• Spinal twist in the pose detoxifies the spine and all the nerves are refreshed in the region.
• Leg Strength increases and the back is stretched.
• Fat around the hips and the abdomen is reduced.

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