Vinyala

Pose sheet

Bharadvaja’s Twist

Bharadvājāsana Iभरद्वाजासन

Sit with both feet to one side and turn your torso the other way.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Sitting bones and folded legs; hands provide additional support.

Enter

  1. Sit in Staff Pose with your legs extended.
  2. Bend both knees; place both feet beside your left hip.
  3. Rest your left ankle in the arch of your right foot.
  4. Place left hand under right knee; right hand behind right hip.
  5. Inhale to lengthen your spine; exhale and twist to the right.

Hold

  1. Rest your left palm on the floor beneath your right knee.
  2. Keep both knees together.
  3. Let both sitting bones descend toward the floor or blanket.
  4. Keep your chest lifted without leaning your torso sideways.

Exit

  1. Exhale and slowly unwind.
  2. Release your hands; straighten your legs to return to Staff Pose.
  3. Repeat on the other side, switching legs and arms.
Breathing
Inhale to lengthen; exhale to turn. Keep breathing throughout the hold.
Gaze
Look right; turn your head after your torso, without forcing.
Duration
A few breaths per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • BlanketPlace a blanket beneath your right buttock to level your pelvis.
  • BlockRaise your right hand on a block behind your hip.
  • Hand on the kneeRest left hand on right knee instead of slipping it underneath.
  • ChairSit sideways, feet grounded; turn toward the backrest and hold it.

Variations

  • Variation I, bound: hold opposite upper arm; gaze opposite the twist.
  • Bharadvājāsana II: half lotus and Hero; hold the foot from behind.
  • Restorative: rest your twisted torso on a bolster.

Signals of effort

  • Torso rotation with both legs folded to one side.
  • Deep bending of both knees.
  • Support through extended wrists.
  • Neck rotation when your gaze follows the twist.