I was inspired by this morning’s awesome practice to shed some light on the Revolved Crescent Lunge aka Parivrtta Anjaneyasana (par-ee-vrt-tah AHN-jah-ney AHS-anna). I have a pretty weird relationship with this pose.
In the beginning of my yoga journey, I would always get excited when the teacher would cue this pose because I felt so strong and empowered while in it. Then, as the years passed and life happened, I would let it go within the first three seconds and not even bother to get up and try again.
However, now I’ve come to realize that I shouldn’t be attached to where I was in the past. All that matters is NOW, what my body is asking for now, how we are living in the NOW.
Keep in mind, with this pose you’re rinsing and releasing any expectations or criticisms. So don’t give up on yourself and give the posture a little bit more time to work its magic for you. With that being said, let’s get into the amazing benefits of this pose.
The Benefits of Revolved Crescent Lunge
This intensive, deep standing stretch is super detoxifying because of the twist. With each twist, you’re wringing out all the toxins in your internal organs (kidneys, bladder, ovaries/prostate gland, etc.), relieving any digestion problems, and improving infertility issues.
Revolved Crescent Lunge increases your stamina and balance, improves your posture by awakening the spine and back muscles, and eases tension in the back, neck, and shoulders. It also tones your abdominal wall, strengthening your transverse and oblique abs.
Further, this pose relieves mild depression, improves concentration, and mental focus.
Revolved Crescent Lunge Step-by-Step
- Starting in Downward Facing Dog, lift your right leg high and step it all the way through to your hands for a Low Lunge.
- From here, you want to keep that 90-degree angle in the right knee and then straighten and engage your back leg, lifting your knee cap and keeping your left heel high towards the ceiling.
- Next, put your hands at your hips as you slowly inhale and come up, keeping your hands there for a second to see if your hips are square. Make the necessary adjustments to make sure that they are. Maybe you need to widen your stance or bring the back leg closer inwards so that you should feel equally balanced in both hips and legs. As soon as your lower body is set and strong, inhale your arms up (keeping that bent knee at perfectly 90 degrees).
- Then slightly tilt the tailbone under so that you are reminded to engage your core and bring your hands to heart center. Breathe in, lengthen the spine.
- This is the fun part. Exhale as you gently twist so that your left elbow hooks on the outside of the right knee.
- Work on positioning the hands in prayer right at the center of the chest, twisting a little bit more so that you feel rinse of toxins in your internal organs. Gaze up towards the sky.
- With every inhale, lengthen the crown of the head towards the front of the room. Exhale, and twist a little deeper. Repeat this step at least three times.
- Gently release the same way you came in and repeat the posture on the other side.
Additional Tips
- Modification: lower down to the knee with the straight leg until you can start to improve your balance.
- Energetically lift the back of the legs towards the sky.
- Be careful not to dump your torso over your thigh, maintain that lift and lengthen the torso
Caution
- Do not try this if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure or have any injuries in the shoulders, low back, hips, knees, or ankles.
As always, feel free to like, comment, and share the love! If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to comment below. Hope you have fun with this one! Remember, non-attachment to any expectations, criticisms and outcomes!
