Detox with Ardhmatsyendra Asana | Half Spinal twist pose

Author: Randeep Singh / go to all Techniques of Yoga articles

Matsya is the Sanskrit word for fish, Indra stands for the King: together it stands for theking of the fish, pose. Adding Ardh or Half to the term makes it Half king of the fish pose.

This is how the name Ardhmatsyendra asana is derived.Matsyendra, is in fact, a renowned yogi of the Nath cult.

Legend has it that Matsyendra, the king of fish had to get in this posture which provided for extreme steadiness as was required he being hidden in water while he was listening to Lord Shiva, discoursing on Yoga to his wife Parvati on an island. When Lord Shiva discovered this, out of mercy he turned the fish into a Yogi by sprinkling water on it.

That’s how they say he learned Yoga. As this is half spinal twist posture, there has to be a complete spinal twist or Purna Matsyendra Asana as well, which in fact requires a higher level of flexibility. The practitioner of this seemingly simple spinal twist can experience a deeply intense and powerful churning of the spine, steadiness of the Mind in case the proper alignments for the same are adhered to.

The lateral stretch imparted by Ardhmatsyendra asana, if interspersed between the forward and backward bends, helps with restoring the alignment of the spine, in case the intensity of these bends have left it overstretched in a certain way. One must properly understand the concept of Yoga asana and religiously follow the tenets for doing asanas laid down by our gurus in the past.

Preparatory Postures for Ardhmatsyendra Asana

Veerasana
Badhakonasana
Janu Shirshasana
Supt padangushtasana
Bhardwaj asana

How to do Ardhmatsyendra Asana

For doing Ardhmatsyendra asana sit on the mat with both the legs stretched in front of you, heels and toes touching each other, place your palms beside your hips and lift your pelvis up by pressing the palms in the mat, tilt your pelvis forward and place the hips back on the mat
Hold the left foot with the left hand, exhaling fold the left knee and slide the left foot under the right thigh till it settles outside side of the leg touching the mat close to the right hip
Fold the right knee and pass the right foot over the left leg, which is already bent, and place the right foot beyond the left thigh nearest possible to the hip, the right knee should be pointing straight upwards
Raise the left arm up, stretching it completely upwards so that the spine is stretched high as much possible, exhale and twist toward the right placing the right hand on the floor and sliding it further toward the back while exhaling, the stretch in the spine created earlier must be maintained throughout this movement while getting into Ardhmatsyendra Asana
As the left hand comes in line with the right knee lock your left elbow on the outside of the right knee and twist further towards the left exhaling, the right hand is moved further around the back intensifying the twist, inhale and stretch the spine upwards, exhale and twist more to the left
Make sure both the hips are firmly touching the mat, in case any gets lifted while twisting, press it down by lengthening the tailbone into the mat maintaining the stretch in the spine, the upper back slightly arched back, pulling the sternum up as you lift the spine
Simultaneously slide the left hand on the outside of the right shin, elbow locked at the knee and reach out for the toes and hold it from the outside, now pull on the ankle and further intensify the twist in the abdominal region till the shoulders are in line with the bent right leg, look at a point straight behind, in line with your twisted shoulders, chin aligned with the shoulder line
Once again check for any uplifted hips, press them down on the mat while adjusting the pull on the ankle of the right leg, breathe normal while you hold this final position or suspend the breath in case of the dynamic version of the pose is being attempted, release ardhmatsyendra asana while inhaling and repeat same way on the other side.

Video on Ardhmatsyendrasana.

Breathing Pattern & Duration – Ardhmatsyendra Asana

In case of dynamic variation ( Breath coordinated rhythmically with every movement )

Inhale while lifting the left arm
Exhale 3 seconds while twisting laterally towards the right
Suspend the breath for 6 seconds while you stay in the final position
Return to the starting position by exhaling for 3 seconds

One set equals both the sides done once each. To start with do a minimum of 2 sets of Ardhmatsyendra asana

In case of Static variation

Stay in the final posture as long as possible and gradually increase it to a maximum of 1 – 2 minutes, or 30 breaths while breathing rhythmically through the nose

Follow up Poses for Ardhmatsyendra Asana

Paschimottanasana
Janushirshasana

Alignment Essentials and Modifications – Ardhmatsyendrasana

Try to draw the raised knee towards the chest, this will help with further intensifying the twist
Look over the shoulder instead of at the shoulder to intensify the twist in Ardhmatsyendra Asana
The head can take either of the two positions: follow the direction of the twist till the chin is in line with the outer shoulder, eyes looking over the shoulder; turn the head in the opposite direction of the twist by looking over the left shoulder
Avoid placing the palm which is at the back too far from the hips as this will tilt the torso backward, keep it the closest possible to the back, one can even wrap it around the waist from the behind, the beginners may tend to lose balance with this modification in case the hips and not flexible enough
Beginners to Ardhmatsyendra asana can sit on a folded blanket for additional support and cushioning
Beginners can practice the twist by straightening the bent leg ( left leg) out instead of folding it close to the opposite hip, sit with the length of the legs parallel to a wall, the hip of the leg of which the knee is raised up ( right hip) is towards the wall or a grill if possible.
Hold the grill with both the hands or place the palms on the wall, walking the hands on the wall in the direction opposite to the stretch of the lower leg ( Left leg), keep the torso straight throughout by continuously adjusting the legs and the hips as per the flexibility levels, this will help experience the intensity of the twist where the hips are not flexible enough.

Common Faults – Ardhmatsyendra Asana

Hips remain lifted off the floor
The torso tilts backward
One shoulder is lower
The left hand is not gripping the ankle or the toes of the right leg
The knee of the left leg is lifted above the floor
The chin is pointed too high, not parallel to the floor

Contraindications – When not to do Half Spinal Twist Pose

Women past three months of pregnancy should avoid doing Ardhmatsyendra asana
Spinal Inflammation
In case of back or spine injury, peptic ulcers, hyperthyroidism – practice Ardhmatsyendra asana under the guidance of an experienced yoga trainer

Advantages- Benefits of doing Half Spinal Twist Pose

Emotional:

Reduces depression and lethargy, dullness and disorders of the nervous system
Calms down the Mind as the adrenal glands are toned up

Psychic:

The half spinal twist balances the Manipura Chakra ( Navel Chakra)

Physical:
Ardhmatsyendra asana if practiced consistently the elasticity of the spine is improved, the ligaments attached to spine receive increased blood supply, it is the right choice for being included in the Yoga for a healthy spine
It helps remove lumbago ( lower back pain), muscular rheumatism of the back and hips, the joints stiffness due to rheumatoidism is released, increases the production of synovial fluid in the joints making them more active, it proves to be the most effective from among all the yoga processes for lower back pain
The nerve roots of the sympathetic nervous system are toned and supplied with increased blood flow, stimulates the large intestine and massages the abdominal muscles, releasing constipation, dyspepsia and other digestive issues
Spikes the release of digestive juices increasing the appetite, very potent as a part of yoga for a healthy appetite, and overall digestion as it also squeezes out the toxins from the abdominal organs
Benefits the gallbladder, liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestines
Tones up the respiratory muscles and muscles of the neck helping with improving the quality of respiration
benefits the Practicing Ardhmatsyendra Asana regularly urogenital, Menstrual problems and fertility related issues, its inclusion in the yoga for enhanced fertility is nondebatable
Patients with diabetes, sciatica, and hyperthyroidism are positively impacted
It prevents the formation of osteophytes in the adjoining vertebrae and benefits mild cases of slip disc
It also benefits conditions like colitis, bronchitis, and sinusitis, its a must include in the yoga for managing colitis
The joints of the pelvic region are improved, increases the venous circulation in the abdominal area,
If placed at the end of the yoga class it helps release the spine of any undue stress caused by the forward or backbends as it loosens up any articulations of the spine and returns it in its normal form.