Vinyala

Pose sheet

Revolved Split-Legged Headstand

Parivṛttaikapāda Śīrṣāsanaपरिवृत्तैकपाद शीर्षासन

Twist on your crown and forearms, with one leg forward and the other back.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Crown, both forearms, and little-finger edges of your hands.

Enter

  1. Start in steady Headstand, fingers interlaced and elbows shoulder-width apart.
  2. Press both forearms down and lift your shoulders.
  3. Reach your left leg forward and your right leg back.
  4. Straighten your knees; keep both feet at the same height.
  5. Exhale; turn your pelvis and trunk right, keeping your base steady.

Hold

  1. Keep head and hands still; distribute support evenly between both forearms.
  2. Lengthen both sides; keep your hips above your crown.
  3. Extend your legs in opposite directions from your hips.
  4. Rotate both thighs slightly inward.

Exit

  1. Untwist; bring your legs together in Headstand.
  2. Repeat with right leg forward, left leg back, turning left.
  3. Return to center; bend your knees and slowly lower your feet.
Breathing
Exhale to twist; breathe normally while holding.
Gaze
Look straight ahead, parallel to the floor; keep your head still.
Duration
20–30 seconds per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Folded blanketPlace your crown and forearms on the same folded blanket.
  • Smaller splitSeparate your legs less, keeping both feet at the same height.
  • Smaller twistReduce your twist, keeping head, hands, and shoulders facing forward.
  • Lunge at a wallKeep both legs straight; turn and place your hands against the wall.

Variations

  • Pārśva Śīrṣāsana: twist with both legs together and vertical.
  • Eka Pāda Śīrṣāsana: one leg vertical; opposite foot grounded ahead.
  • Back-knee-bent variation: twist with your back knee bent.

Signals of effort

  • Inversion with weight on your crown and forearms.
  • Legs separated and suspended, with neither foot grounded.
  • Trunk rotation over a fixed base.
  • Breathing may become uneven as you deepen your twist.