Pyramid Pose

In Parsvottanasana, ‘Parsva’ means ‘Side’, ‘Ut’ means ‘intense’ and ‘tan’ means to ‘extend, stretch or lengthen’. Hence the name Intense Side Stretch Pose. This posture is performed in a standing position and when practiced regularly, brings stability and balance to the body and the mind. The mind should be at the core while practicing this intense pose. This pose is sometimes called the Pyramid Pose, which emphasizes the powerful foundation and strength engendered in this pose. Alignment and awareness of the movement of the body plays a great role in the practice of this pose.
Pyramid Pose is considered a base pose as pyramid pose variations can be derived from this pose.Pyramid Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in flow yoga sequences.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pose Detail
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Joint Mobility Direction: Longitudinal Stretch
- Poses According To Their Functions: Physical Training
- Poses for Your Legs Flexibility: Poses for Your Ankles Flexibility, Poses for Your Hips Flexibility, Poses for Your Knees Flexibility
- Poses By Benefit: Yoga Poses for Calmness, Yoga Poses for Digestion, Yoga Poses for Energy
Benefits and Contraindications
Calm the brain and flush the sinuses with mild inversion.
Stretch the spine.
Strengthen the legs and spine.
Improve posture.
Aid digestion.
Elongate hamstrings.
Recent back surgery
High or low blood pressure.
Migraine
Low back pathologies.
Ankle, knee, or hip injury.
Shoulder injury (if taking hands behind the back)
Photo poses in different angles

Tips
Parsvottanasana will challenge your balance, serenity, and flexibility when practiced in correct alignment. Keep the following information in mind when practicing this pose:
Keep your hips squared throughout the pose.
Lengthen the front of your torso from your breast bone to your navel.
Keep the crown of your head reaching forward as you simultaneously extend your tail bone behind you.
Note that your feet are significantly closer together than they are in other standing poses, such as Warrior I or Triangle Pose. Take your time getting the correct foot placement. Then, as in every standing pose, work the pose from the ground up.
- Side Forward Fold Pose
- Pyramid Pose Hands On Blocks
- Pyramid Pose Hands At Lower Back
- Half Pyramid Pose Airplane Hands Behind Back
- Pyramid Pose Wall
- Seated Intense Side Stretch Pose Thighs Strap Chair
- Revolved Intense Side Stretch Pose Blocks
- Pyramid Pose Holding Wrist At Back
- Standing Split Pose Chair
- Pyramid Pose Hands On Wall Block Under Foot
- Intense Side Stretch Pose Looking Forward Hands On Floor
- Warrior Pose I
- Triangle Pose
- Intense Leg Stretch Pose
- Intense Leg Stretch Pose
- Revolved Triangle Pose
- Triangle Pose