How To Do Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana Pose | Revolved Head To Knee Pose

We absolutely love a good side stretch, and Revolved Head to Knee Pose is one of the most delicious ways to open up the body. It’s a beautiful combination of a twist and a side bend that helps to create space in the side ribs, waist, and hamstrings. It’s one of those poses that just feels like a big, deep breath for your entire torso.

Whether you’ve been sitting at a desk all day or you just need a moment to reconnect, this pose meets you exactly where you are. There’s no need to reach your toes or look a certain way; it’s all about how it feels from the inside out. If your hamstrings feel a bit tight, you can always sit on a folded blanket or a cushion to give your hips a little extra love.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to feel into this beautiful opening and find a version of the pose that feels just right for your body today.

How To Do Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head to Knee Pose)

Find your foundation
Start by sitting tall on your mat with your legs out wide. Fold your right knee in, placing the sole of your foot against your left inner thigh, keeping the left leg extended and active.

Prepare for the twist
Inhale to find length in your spine, then gently rotate your torso towards your bent right knee. As you exhale, start to lean your left side body down towards your extended left leg.

Extend and open up
Reach your left hand towards your left foot (or rest it on your shin or a block). If it feels okay, reach your right arm up and over your head, creating a long line of energy from your hip to your fingertips.

Embrace the opening
Think about rolling your chest open towards the sky rather than collapsing forward. You might even wrap your top arm behind your back to help find that extra bit of space in the heart centre.

Breathe and settle in
Stay here for 3-5 deep breaths, or if you’re practising Yin Yoga, you might choose to hold a more relaxed version for 3 minutes. Focus on breathing into the side ribs and softening where you can.

Release and reset
When you’re ready, slowly lift back up to centre and take a moment to notice the difference between your two sides. Straighten your legs and repeat the same steps on the other side to keep things balanced.

The Benefits of Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (and Yoga in General)

Physically, this pose is a total powerhouse for the side body. It creates incredible space between the ribs, stretches the hamstrings, and encourages mobility through the spine. Because of the gentle compression in the torso, it’s also wonderful for supporting your digestive system and helping everything move along smoothly.

Beyond the physical stretch, the twisting action is deeply soothing for the nervous system. It helps to wring out the stress of the day, leaving you feeling more grounded and clear-headed. This is what we love about Yoga — it’s not just about becoming more flexible or strong. It’s about creating the space to breathe, to feel, and to come home to yourself exactly as you are.

Explore More Yoga Poses

If you enjoyed this pose, you might also love:

• How to Do Ardha Uttanasana Pose | Halfway Lift Pose
• How to Do Parivrtta Prasarita Padottanasana Pose | Revolved Wide Legged Standing Forward Bend
• 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