How to Do Arivrtta Anjaneyasana Pose | Revolved/Twisted Lunge Pose

We absolutely love a good twist, and Revolved Crescent Lunge is one of those poses that just feels so invigorating! It’s a beautiful way to build strength in your legs while simultaneously opening up your heart and giving your spine a delicious stretch. Whether you’ve been sitting at a desk all day or you just need a little boost of energy, this pose is such a treat for the entire body.

What’s really special about this asana is how it challenges our balance while encouraging us to stay soft and present. It’s a dynamic movement that meets you exactly where you are—whether you want to keep your back knee up for a bit of fire or lower it down to the mat for a more grounded feel. There’s no perfect way to do it, just the way that feels best in your body today.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to feel into this pose safely and mindfully, with plenty of options to make it work for you.

How To Do Arivrtta Anjaneyasana (Revolved Crescent Lunge Pose)

Find your foundation
Start by standing tall at the top of your mat in Mountain Pose. Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, step your right foot back into a long lunge, keeping your left knee stacked right over your ankle.

Connect at your heart
Bring your hands together at your heart centre in a prayer position. Take a moment here to lengthen through your spine and feel your feet grounding firmly into the earth.

Ease into the twist
As you exhale, gently twist your upper body to the left, hooking your right elbow over the outside of your left thigh. If the elbow doesn’t quite reach, you can always place your right hand on the inside of the foot or on a block for extra support.

Open and breathe
Press your palms together to help open your chest, and if it feels okay for your neck, softly gaze over your left shoulder. Remember to keep your core lightly engaged to support your lower back as you breathe.

Settle into the feel
Stay here for about five deep, nourishing breaths, feeling the expansion in your chest with every inhale. If you’re practising this as part of a Yin Yoga sequence, you might choose to lower the back knee and hold for a few minutes to really settle in.

Release with care
When you’re ready, slowly unwind the twist and bring your hands back down to the mat. Step your back foot forward to meet the front and take a moment to notice how you feel before swapping sides.

The Benefits of Arivrtta Anjaneyasana (and Yoga in General)

Physically, this pose is such a powerhouse for the lower body. It builds incredible strength in your quads, hamstrings, and glutes, while that lovely twist helps to increase the flexibility of your spine and opens up the chest. Because we’re compressing the midsection slightly, it’s also a wonderful way to stimulate digestion and encourage a little natural detoxification for the body.

Beyond the physical, the combination of the balance and the twist does wonders for the nervous system. It requires a soft focus that helps to quiet the mind, reducing feelings of stress or anxiety. As you breathe into the rotation, you might find a sense of renewed energy and vitality washing over you. This is what we love about Yoga — it’s not just about becoming more flexible or strong. It’s about finding your steady centre even when life feels a little bit twisted or off-balance.

Explore More Yoga Poses

If you enjoyed this pose, you might also love:

• How to Do Eka Pada Rajakapotasana Pose | King Pigeon
• How to Do Utthan Pristhasana Pose | Lizard Lunge Pose
• How to Do Tadasana Pose | Mountain Pose

Curious About Yoga Teacher Training?

This pose is one of 108 you’ll explore in our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training — along with yoga philosophy, breathwork, meditation, anatomy, and the confidence to teach.

You don’t need to be the most flexible person in the room. You don’t need to have been practising for years. You just need to be curious and willing to begin. Whether you want to teach professionally, deepen your personal practice, or simply discover more about yourself — this training meets you where you are.

Learn more about Yoga Teacher Training →

Always merrymaking,
Emma + Carla