Ardha Matsyendrasana - Sitting Half Spinal Twist

 Pronounced: ARE-dah MAT-see-en-DRAHS-anna

Ardha = half; Matsyendra = king of the fish; Matsya = fish; Indra = ruler.

 

How to do Sitting Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

  • Sit up with the legs stretched out straight in front of you, keeping the feet together and the spine erect.
  • Bend the left leg and place the heal of the left foot beside the right hip (optionally, you can keep the left leg straight).
  • Take the right leg over the left knee.
  • Place the left hand on the right knee and the right hand behind you.
  • Twist the waist, shoulders and neck in this sequence to the right and look over the right shoulder.
  • Keep the spine erect.
  • Hold and continue with gentle long breaths in and out.
  • Breathing out, release the right hand first (the hand behind you), release the waist, then chest,lastly the neck and sit up relaxed yet straight.
  • Repeat to the other side.
  • Breathing out, come back to the front and relax.


Benefits of the Sitting Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

  • Makes spine supple.
  • Increases the elasticity of the spine.
  • Opens the chest and increases the oxygen supply to the lungs.


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