Prayer Twist

Parivitta Utkatasana

Prayer Twist, or Revolved Chair Pose, is a deep twisting posture that increases spinal mobility while strengthening thigh, core, and back muscles.

Other Names

• Revolved Chair Pose

Benefits

• Strengthens core, thigh, gluteal, and back muscles

• Therapeutic for detoxification and digestion

• Increases spinal mobility

• Stretches chest and shoulder muscles

• Warms the body and improves circulation

Contraindications

• Pregnancy - second and third trimester should avoid

• Low back or disc injury

• Knee injury

Modifications

• If you are unable to bring your elbow to the outside of your knee, you can place your bottom hand on the outside of your leg, and your top hand on your sacrum instead

• Squeeze a block in between your thighs to find more strength, stability, and spinal length

• You may look down instead of up towards the ceiling if you have neck pain or an injury

Chakras

Prayer Twist balances the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura), and helps the practitioner connect to personal power, strength, and commitment.