Karen demonstrates Twisted Pigeon Pose. —photo by Fred Padilla.
By Karen Watson Reeves
So many of the yoga poses have a variation with a twist, and Pigeon Pose is one of those! For me, there is nothing like a twist to help release tension and tightness and prepare me for whatever physical challenge the day may bring. So, adding a twist to the hip opener, Pigeon, is helpful to loosen up the tight places.
Twisted Pigeon Pose stretches and strengthens the neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, and back. In the twisting action, the psoas muscles are squeezed to help the chest and rib cage go deeper into the twist, and that further helps in strengthening the upper and middle back. When the hands are joined together at the heart center, the biceps and triceps are activated, as well as the core muscles.
Twisting the upper body improves the mobility of the spine, arms, shoulders, and neck, and the twisting action of the spine impacts the muscles of the back, improving range of motion.
Twisted pigeon is a great combination of a forward bend with a twist, helping to expand the chest and ensuring deeper breaths. Twisted Pigeon is hip and heart-opening. Anyone can benefit from this pose, practicing it regularly, but especially runners and cyclists, as well as desk workers. Anyone who has tight hips or lower back pain should practice Twisted Pigeon Pose.
[Realizing we are only two months into this calendar year, the astute reader may have noticed a trend or two in this column space for 2026. The first reader to text me correctly will get a free class.]
Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. Owner of The Yoga Place, at 301 Whittington Avenue, she became a registered yoga/children’s yoga teacher in 2011. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. Please find more information about her studio and her schedule of classes at www.theyogaplacehs.com.
{Karen’s yoga poses are archived on our website at thespringsmagazine.com/category/health-wellness/yoga/.}
