Heart Space Yoga – Do the Turkey Twist

After a long weekend of visiting with family, eating turkey (or a vegan alternative) and nibbling on pumpkin pie, the digestive system can get sluggish and so can your energy. Try this great Partner Twist to rev up your digestive fire, detoxify your organs, and make you laugh, all while experiencing the true meaning of YOGA: UNION.

Follow the steps below and refer to the picture above to – DO THE TURKEY TWIST!

Step 1 – Find a partner! A partner can be a friend, child, parent, lover or co-worker.

Step 2 – Sit cross legged in Sukhasana (Easy Pose), facing one another, and smile!

Step 3 – Simultaneously, inhale and stretch your right arm up to lengthen the spine, as you exhale reach your right arm behind your back until your fingers touch your left side torso. Wiggle your fingers at your partner.

Step 4 – Inhale to stretch your left hand across your body and reach for your partner’s hand that is behind their back. Exhale to clasp hands.

Step 5 – Once you have found each other’s hands, you can use your inhalations to lengthen the spine and your exhalations to maintain that length, and twist over your right shoulder to look behind you.

Try breathing like this for five breaths, and then let go of hands and come back to face each other. Smile! Repeat on the other side!

Partner Poses are great for fostering communication, camaraderie and laughter! Twists move the spine through healthy rotation and improve digestion. Try the Turkey Twist today!

Krista Bromfield is a RYT, Can-Fit-Pro PRO Trainer, Mom and Auntie. She has an Honors Degree in Kinesiology and Education, and is the lead Anatomy Instructor for the Balanced Life Yoga Teacher Training Programs. Krista teaches a variety of yoga classes including Kick Your Asana Strength Training Yoga, Power Yoga, Flow Yoga, Partner Yoga, Kids Yoga and Mom and Baby Yoga Bootcamp at Balanced Life Yoga.