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Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee)

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Yoga Techniques & Fitness Yoga Techniques and Fitness

Overview

In this lesson, we present Janu Sirsasana, an asymmetrical forward bend that combines spinal rotation with hamstring stretching.

Objective

Become familiar with how the asymmetry of this pose affects the spine and internal organs differently than symmetrical forward bends.

What You'll Get

You'll walk away understanding why this pose is so useful despite its awkward setup. We cover how the bent knee creates a twist in the spine, what's happening in the kidneys and liver, and why the pose is both calming and energizing. You'll learn how to help students find the right angle for the bent knee, how to work with SI joint sensitivity, and when to use the revolved variation for deeper side-body opening.

Janu Sirsasana

“janu” = knee

“sirsa” = head

Head to Knee Pose

Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana

“parivrtta” = revolving

Revolved Head to Knee Pose

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