Dwi Pada Sirsasana Yoga Pose (Legs Behind Head Pose)



Information on Yoga Asana Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Yoga Pose) Meaning & Uses


The Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose is one of the complex poses of yoga which basically consists of sitting upright with the arms extended in a wide V overhead with finger tucked into the palms and thumbs stretched out as if they could draw and arc over the head, eyes closed and rolled up at the brow point while you do 3 minutes of vigorous breathing. This pose is considered to be a great way to open the lungs for pranayama and also to clear the sinuses. Initially it might take a little bit of effort to maintain the arm position properly, however with constant practice and patience one can easily master this pose. The name of this asana is a collection of few Sanskrit words like 'Dwi' meaning two, 'pada' meaning legs, 'sir' meaning head and 'asana' meaning pose. In simple terms it is also known as human knot as in this pose the knees are positioned behind the shoulders and crossing the ankles behind the head or the mid back.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Steps / Instructions / Procedure

Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose is a complex pose, however not totally difficult. With regular practice and patience one can easily master this pose. The following steps have to be performed to complete this pose -

  1. Start this pose with Dandasana. Sit straight with your legs stretched out in front of you.

  2. Now exhale through your nose and then hold your hand in front of it. This helps you to check which nostril is active.

  3. If the right nostril is active start with the right leg and if the left nostril is active start with the left leg.

  4. Now bend the knee of the active side and grab the ankle and bring it over to your head and place it slowly on your neck with exhalation.

  5. Now do the same with your second leg and then place it with the first leg.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Anatomical Focus

The anatomical focus of Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose deals with feet, legs, thighs, hips, waists, back, shoulder, head and head.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Therapeutic Applications

The therapeutic application related to Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose are many in numbers. It increases the strength and stamina of the body. It is to be noted that the whole entire body is perfectly exercised so it largely provides better body balance and fitness for personal and professional life. It rightly helps to enrich the kundalini power. This particular posture gives good nourishment to your legs, knees, thighs, back, arms, palms, shoulders plus elbows. It also assists to enrich elasticity and flexibility to entire body system.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Medical Health Benefits

There are several benefits of Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose. Some of them are as follows -

  1. This pose helps to increase the blood flow and improves the levels of hemoglobin in blood. This in turn helps to eliminate many toxins from the body plus there are several other benefits of healthy blood flow.

  2. It is very beneficial for those who are serving from anemia and nervous trembling.

  3. It helps to activate the fire in you and thus also helps in the process of digestion to work properly.

  4. It is beneficial for the patients of diabetics.

  5. It makes you more active and enthusiastic.

  6. This pose is considered to be one of the best poses of flexibility.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Contraindications and Cautions

Even though it is a beneficial pose there are certain things one needs to be cautious of Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose. This pose should be avoided by people who have spinal injuries or problems with knees or hips. This is an intensive pose and can lead to injuries if one puts too much pressure while doing this pose.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Beginner's Tip

Thought Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose is quite challenging for the beginners, it can be easily practiced. The first focus while doing this pose would be to get the legs over the neck. Once this is done then the focus can be shifted to straightening the spine and then to relax in the yoga poses. During the course of the yoga continue breathing and smiling.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Variations

The variations of Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose can be brought about through an extended stretch in each and every given steps of this asana with a lot of perfection.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Modifications and Props

The props that can be used largely in Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose are yoga mat and stool for support in any given situations and circumstances in the yoga session.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Partnering

A partner's encouragement is a real boost for the beginners and regular yoga practitioners to wholeheartedly indulge in any kind of simple, moderate and difficult asana through regular practicing in the yoga session with a lot of perfection. It is actually fun taking the assistance of a partner or group of persons who are keen really in practicing yoga with a lot of perfection in Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose. It is to be remembered that a helpful active partner is equivalent to a master in yoga who perfectly corrects all the mistakes plus assists in need of the hour. In a yoga session, Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose should be performed in the presence of a partner so that you will not hurt yourself under any given situations and circumstances. A partner is a person who encourages when things are performed right and corrects when things are performed in a wrong manner.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Preparatory Poses

All types of easy bend towards forward and backwards can be indulged as the preparatory asana for Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose. It gives right kind of warm up for indulging in this particular asana.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Follow up Poses

All kinds of simple sitting asana can be performed after indulging in Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose. It really relaxes the mind and body for leading an active personal and professional life.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana (Legs Behind Head Pose) Deepen the Pose

One can deepen Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose by placing their palms on their sides and lifting their body up into the air. The deepening of the pose related to Dwi pada sirsasana or Dwi Pada Greevasan or Both the legs behind the head pose can be achieved by extended stretched each and every given steps in this particular asana with a lot of perfection. You can challenge directly your body in order to balance by rightly by practicing this particular pose with your tightly closed eyes with a lot of perfection. It is to be remembered that learning to perfectly balance without any kind of reference to the outer environment is the best method to indulge to a great extent.