Vinyala

Pose sheet

Reclining Bird of Paradise

Supta Svarga Dvijāsanaसुप्त स्वर्ग द्विजासन

Lift your hips on hands and one foot, extending the other leg over your shoulder.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Both palms and left sole; hips lifted.

Enter

  1. Sit in Dandāsana and bend your right knee.
  2. Slide your right shoulder under your thigh; place both hands behind.
  3. Straighten your right leg; bend your left knee and plant foot.
  4. Inhale, press through hands and left foot, and lift your hips.
  5. Exhale, straighten your arms, and gently take your head back.

Hold

  1. Keep your right thigh over your right shoulder.
  2. Engage your right quadriceps to keep your knee straight.
  3. Press both palms and your left sole down; keep hips lifted.
  4. Keep your chest broad and shoulders steady.

Exit

  1. Bend your right knee and slowly lower your hips.
  2. Release your right arm; straighten both legs into Dandāsana.
  3. Repeat on the other side, switching right and left.
Breathing
Breathe softly and deeply.
Duration
Initially, 3–4 breaths per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Seated preparationKeep hips grounded while extending your leg over your shoulder.
  • Reverse Tabletop preparationPlant both feet, bend your knees, and lift your hips.

Variations

  • Support on fingertips and the left forefoot.

Signals of effort

  • Weight on both hands with wrists extended.
  • One foot supports your lifted hips.
  • Deep flexion of one hip with the knee extended.
  • Cervical extension with the head suspended.