BHARADVAJA’S TWIST
Sanskrit Name – Bharadvajasana
Sanskrit Name Meaning – Bharadvaja – Sage Bharadvaja, Asana - Pose
Type of Asana – Seated Twist Yoga Pose
Target Areas – Full Body
WHAT IS BHARADVAJA’S TWIST (BHARADVAJASANA)?
Bharadvaja’s Twist (Bharadvajasana) is a gentle seated twisted yoga pose that stimulates your core and spine. It’s named after Bharadvaja a revered Vedic sage who also helped author the Rig Veda.
DO NOT PRACTICE BHARADVAJA’S TWIST (BHARADVAJASANA) IF:
You’re on your period or you have diarrhea
You have an issue with your blood pressure
You suffer from migraines or insomnia
You’ve recently had surgery
BENEFITS OF BHARADVAJA’S TWIST (BHARADVAJASANA)
Stretches your abdominal muscles, spine, shoulders and hips.
Relieves feelings of anxiety and stress
Alleviates lower back and neck pain
Improves digestion
HOW TO PRACTICE BHARADVAJA’S TWIST (BHARADVAJASANA) IN 3 EASY STEPS
Start in Staff Pose (Dandasana). Bend your knees and wing your legs to the left. Lay our feet in front of your left hip. Inhale and lift up through your sternum. Exhale and twist your torso to the right.
Rest your left hand under your right knee and place your right hand to the floor next to your right buttock. Look over your left shoulder.
Stay in this asana for as long as you feel comfortable, breathe deeply and reconnect with yourself.
BHARADVAJA’S TWIST (BHARADVAJASANA) VARIATION – SIT ON A BLANKET
Practice this asana by sitting on a blanket to help boost you up.
PREPARATORY POSES
Bound Angle Pose - Baddha Konasana
Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose - Supta Padangusthasana
Hero Pose – Virasana
Extended Triangle Pose - Utthita Trikonasana
Warrior II Pose - Virabhadrasana II
Tree Pose - Vrksasana
COUNTER POSES
Bound Angle Pose - Baddha Konasana
Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose - Supta Padangusthasana
Hero Pose – Virasana
Extended Triangle Pose - Utthita Trikonasana
Warrior II Pose - Virabhadrasana II
Tree Pose - Vrksasana
Standing Forward Bend – Uttanasana
Seated Forward Bend – Paschimottanasana
Head-to-Knee Forward Bend - Janu Sirsasana