YoginStart free trial
Seated Spinal Twist yoga poseAccessible
Yoga pose guide

Seated Spinal Twist

Sanskrit nameArdha Matsyendrasana

Learn Seated Spinal Twist with clear step-by-step cues, target areas, safety notes, and a guided practice video.

  • Spine
  • Back
  • Hips
  • Core

Practice details

Difficulty
3 / 10Accessible
Position
SeatedMat based
Movement
TwistTarget areas
Equipment
No equipmentGuided practice
01

Guided practice

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Sit with your legs extended, then bend your right knee and step your right foot flat to the floor on the outside of your left thigh.

  2. Inhale and lengthen your spine tall, drawing your lower belly in to keep your lower back supported throughout the twist.

  3. Exhale and turn your torso to the right, hugging your right knee with your left arm and placing your right hand on the floor behind you for support.

  4. Initiate the twist from your belly and mid-back rather than wrenching from the neck or low back, and keep both sitting bones grounded so the hip and knee stay comfortable.

  5. With each inhale grow a little taller, and with each exhale rotate slightly deeper, holding for 5 to 8 breaths while keeping your gaze soft over your shoulder.

  6. Unwind slowly back to center on an exhale, extend your legs, and repeat on the second side to twist evenly both ways.

Continue exploring

Continue exploring

Build your practice with poses that use similar movement patterns.

Explore pose library
✦ Yogin AI coach

Ready to move with confidence?

Get real-time alignment feedback and keep every session connected to your plan.

Practice with Yogin