• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Di Hickman

discover how to live your yoga, and love life

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • My Yoga Journey
    • About Me
  • Virtual Yoga Classes
  • Connect
    • Press
      • Media Kit
  • Resources
    • Sign up
    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
  • My Yoga Journey
  • Connect
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • My Yoga Journey
    • About Me
  • Virtual Yoga Classes
  • Connect
    • Press
      • Media Kit
  • Resources
    • Sign up
    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Yoga for Fun Somatic Twist – Uncovering a New Way of Twisting

June 17, 2022 //  by Di Hickman//  Leave a Comment

So often in yoga we get told to “hold” our pelvis and twist, I say to heck with that and share a fun way to uncover how our bodies naturally twist! This somatic twist class is a goofy way to share that the pelvis CAN and SHOULD move in twisting poses! It may even help avoid back pain in twists! Embrace the fun and come join me on the floor exploring Parivrtta Dandasana!

If you can’t view the embedded video above, you can view the video on YouTube. Maybe add it to a playlist? Above all, remember to subscribe to my channel. New videos are uploaded regularly. However, for exclusive longer format videos sign up for my Patreon community. Each month we explore poses, transitions, and trouble areas. Patrons also get early access to all my videos, along with lots of other benefits. You join today for as little as $1 a month

Somatic Twist Fun

Begin this class seated in dandasana. Sit bones rooted to the floor, legs extended, and spine long. Notice your connection to the floor. Inhale raising the arms, and holding the pelvis in place rotate the upper body to the right.

yoga teacher sitting in dandasana staff pose

Notice the rotation. How much is there? On my tank is the word “happy” so I like to say “where is your happy pointed”? Because often we think the rotation is the shoulder reaching around rather than the sternum.

yoga teacher sitting in parivrtta dandasana staff pose variation

This is where the somatic twist fun begins!!! Lift the right side of the pelvis and move it forward, repeat with the left. This is like ‘bum walking’ across the floor. Notice your upper body and how it moves WITH the pelvis. Then pause with the right hip back and notice you’re ALREADY twisting! Get the extra little bit from the upper back and feel the fluidity of the somatic twist! Where is your happy?

yoga teacher sitting the somatic twist parivrtta dandasana variation

Conclusion? We need to move the pelvis in twists. Especially if we’re aiming to avoid torque in the lower back and SI joint. Try this on both sides and see how you feel! Also the bum walk is a great mobility exercise for the hips, pelvis and spine! Plus it’s super fun!

Like this post? PIN it to share with others!

somatic yoga twists

Want more?

If you’re looking for real yoga for real bodies, consider joining my Patreon. Each month I release two yoga classes exclusively for my Patreon community. On the other hand, other ways to find more yoga with me are signing up for my 7-day yoga challenge, or subscribing to my YouTube channel. Remember you can get your reminder to practice more with my “do more yoga” t-shirt.

Questions

  • Have you tried, and can you do the bum walk?
  • In both directions: forward AND backwards?
  • Do you see the benefit of somatic twists moving the pelvis? 
Previous Post: « What is somatic yoga and why you should try it!
Next Post: Yoga for Fingers Hands and Wrist Care »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

reduce clutter and gain focus - wundermax padfolio

Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

RECENT POSTS

Reclined Pigeon Pose Modifications for beginners
Yoga block balance exercises for strength & stability
Supporting wrists in downward dog – Quick Fixes for pain relief
How to lay on your side without hurting your shoulder or neck
Yoga Hip Flexor Strengthening for Beginners
Gentle somatic yoga hip openers for beginners

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© Di HIckman 2020. Unauthorized use and/or distribution of this material without expressed written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. You may use an excerpt, link, and/or photo ONLY if full and clear credit is given to Di Hickman with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

  • My Yoga Journey
  • Connect
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 Di Hickman · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme