Vinyala

Pose sheet

Thread the Needle Pose

Pārśva Bālāsanaपार्श्व बालासन

Kneel, thread one arm under your chest, and rotate your torso.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Knees, shins, foot tops; right shoulder and head, left palm.

Enter

  1. Start on all fours, hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
  2. Rest your foot tops down; keep your knees hip-width apart.
  3. Exhale; slide your right arm under your left, palm facing up.
  4. Rest your right shoulder and right side of your head down.
  5. Bend your left elbow, keeping your palm beside your face.

Hold

  1. Keep your hips above your knees without shifting sideways.
  2. Distribute your weight between both knees and your left hand.
  3. Lengthen your threaded arm and rotate your chest without forcing.
  4. Keep the right side of your head supported.

Exit

  1. Inhale; press your left palm down, lifting your shoulder and head.
  2. Withdraw your right arm and return to all fours.
  3. Repeat on the other side; then rest in Child's Pose.
Breathing
Breathe continuously; exhale to thread and inhale to come up.
Gaze
Look to the side with your head supported.
Duration
Initially, three or four breaths per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Blanket under your kneesPlace a folded blanket under both knees.
  • Blanket under your headRest the side of your head on a folded blanket.
  • Less rotationReduce the twist and keep your free hand down.

Variations

  • Free arm forward, hand on the floor.
  • Free arm toward the ceiling.
  • Half bind: free hand behind your back.

Signals of effort

  • Some weight on one shoulder and the head.
  • Supporting palm with the wrist extended.
  • Torso rotation with the pelvis facing the floor.
  • Bent knees resting on the floor.