Parivrtta Anjaneyasana (par-ee-vrt-tah Aan-Jha-Nay-AHS-anna), also known as the Revolved Lunge Pose, is a twisted variation of Lunge Pose with several modifications and variations that develops stamina while improving your balance. During each exercise, make sure to maintain a focus on your breathing.
Sanskrit:
- Parivrtta: to turn around, revolve
- Anjaneya: salutation
- Asana: pose
Philosophy & Origin:
Traditionally, the parivrtta anjaneyasana has been believed to activate the third chakra, or manipura. This chakra is the body's center of energy and vitality. It is a source of confidence, internal strength and courage, and activating the manipura chakra through this pose is believed to shield and counter against fear and insecurity.
Tips:
This pose stretches the quadriceps, abdominals, hips and thighs. Go slowly and don’t push your body beyond its limits.
Level:
Intermediate (2)
Physical Benefits:
- Strengthens the quadriceps and gluteus muscles
- Stimulates abdominal organs
- Improves digestion and elimination
- Stretches the psoas and hips
- Relieves sciatica pain
Energetic Benefits:
- Develops stamina and endurance in your thighs
- Improves your balance, concentration and core awareness
Mudra: Anjali Mudra
This mudra is also known as the Prayer Mudra and involves bringing both hands together by pressing the palms together firmly and evenly with fingertips and thumbs pointing towards the sky.
Benefits:
- Balances both the left and right hemispheres of the brain
- Helps rejuvenate the Vagus nerve (One of the nerves within the nervous system that goes to the pineal gland in front of the body)
- Helps balances out the pineal gland and pituitary gland
- A holistic remedy for stress, depression, and anxiety
- Can be used to stimulate the Anahata (Heart) Chakra and the Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra
- Helps connect the individual with their inner divine self, with spirituality/divinity, and with other beings
- Helps the individual enter into a deeper meditative state (Source)
Mantra:
Shanti Mantra
This mantra is a chant for peace and is used to call for and usher peace into our daily lives.
Pronunciation: sarvesham svastir bhavatu sarvesham shantir bhavatu sarvesham purnam bhavatu sarvesham mangalam bhavatu
Translation: May there be well-being for all, May there be peace for all. May there be wholeness for all, May there be happiness for all.
Preparatory Poses:
- Parivrtta Trikonasana
- Baddha
- Upavistha Konasana
- Virasana and its reclining variation
- Gomukhasana.
Contraindications and Cautions:
Although this is a mild, restorative posture, you should check with a doctor before performing the pose if you have any of the following conditions:
- High or low blood pressure
- Knee injuries
- Spinal injuries
Adjustments/Modifications:
- Keep the eye gaze downwards or forwards if you have a neck injury
- Lower your back knee down to the ground to lesson the intensity of this pose
- Often considered a variation of this asana, parivrtta parsvakonasana uses a different arm position: the opposite arm rests on the lead leg or reaches to the ground, while the other arm extends overhead, creating a twist through the core of the body
Step-By-Step:
- Start in Lunge Pose: Anjaneyasana with your right leg forward. Bring your palms together at heart center. With your left knee lifted, push your left heel back and reach the crown of your head forwards to lengthen your spine and side body.
- Take a deep inhalation, as you begin to exhale, twist towards your right leg. With your palms still together, place your left tricep on your right thigh, attempting to get your torso as close to your leg as possible.
- Push your palms together to engage your arms and try to twist in deeper, sending your chest in the direction of the ceiling and shifting your gaze upwards over your right shoulder.
- Stay here, or extend your left fingertips down to the ground on the outside of your right leg, and reach your right fingertips up the ceiling.
- Stay here for up to one minute. To exit the pose, unwind and place your hands down on the mat, then step back to Downward Facing Dog. Repeat with your left leg forward.
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