Today’s Twist: Half Lord of the Fishes Pose (Matsyandrasana)

Today’s pose is based on the story of Matsya, who began life as an ordinary fish. Matsya happened to be swimming in a river when he overheard the Lord Shiva telling Parvati the discoveries he’d gleaned during a ten thousand year long meditation. Matsya was such a careful listener that he began to embody the mysteries of life, the universe and yoga. Matsya became the first enlightened student, and Shiva the first guru or teacher. Matsya returned in a future life as a half fish, half human being who helped others with his great wisdom.

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose is a twist that is dedicated to teachers. The top of the body is upright like a human, while the bottom half bends like the tail of a fish. This pose helps keep your spine supple and limber while also helping with digestion and blood flow in the body.

To practice Matsyandrasana, sit on the floor with your feet in front of you. Cross one leg over the other and squeeze it in close to your body. Fold your other leg and bring your foot close to your hip. Keep your tail on the floor and sit up proudly like a king or a queen. Turn toward your raised knee and place your hand on the floor behind you by your tail. Then press your other elbow against the outside of your bent knee. Look toward the back and use your arms to make your belly twist like a sponge. 

Take 3 slow, deep breaths completely filling and emptying your chest and belly. Let yourself relax into the pose. Then slowly unwind, and practice the pose for the same amount of time on the other side. 

Tip: if it’s hard to keep both sides of your tail on the floor, you can extend your leg instead of folding it with your foot by your hip.

Story adapted from Myths of the Asanas by Alanna Kaivalya & Arjuna van der Kooij

Coloring by Miss Michele Palumbo of Bay Shore, NY. Enter our coloring contest today to win prizes. Picture of K. Mae Copham by Robert Oakley in New Paltz, NY, April 2017.