Revolved Side Angle

Start with the knee down

Revolved Side Angle combines a lunge, a twist and a balance. Taking the back knee down onto a blanket removes the balance, so you can learn to twist from the ribs while the hips stay level. Once the twist feels steady, lift the back knee for the full version.

How to do Revolved Side Angle

• From Low Lunge with the right foot forward, bring the hands together at the chest
• Lengthen the spine as you breathe in
• Breathing out, twist to the right and hook the left elbow outside the right knee
• Keep the right knee over the ankle and press the palms together to open the chest
• Lift the back knee for the full pose, or stay with it down; for more reach, place the left hand on a block outside the right foot and the right arm up
• Hold for 3 to 5 breaths, untwist and switch sides

Common mistakes

• The front knee drifting sideways as the elbow presses against it
• Collapsing the chest and rounding the back to hook the elbow
• Twisting from the neck rather than the ribs
• A narrow stance that makes the pose wobble

Who should take care

Closed twists like this are usually avoided in pregnancy and with disc problems; an open twist or a gentler pose is a better choice. Keep the back knee down if balance or knee pain is an issue. Look down rather than up with a neck problem.