Twists in yoga: free the spine, untie the mind

Twists may often be subtle postures, but they carry profoundly transformative power. They invite us to let go, realign, and release fresh energy—through both body and mind. Practiced with full awareness, they reveal themselves as more than just physical movements: they are emotional, energetic, and deeply symbolic.
🌿 A Spine That Softens, A Body That Breathes
The spine is our vital axis—our inner tree. When we twist it, we gently roll, press, stretch, and release it, promoting joint mobility and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. It’s a subtle wringing out that helps detoxify internal organs like the liver, kidneys, and intestines.
Twists support not just physical digestion, but emotional digestion, too. Through contraction and release, the body learns to eliminate what no longer serves us—on all levels.
🔄 The Symbolism of Turning: A Shift in Perspective
In a twist, we look elsewhere. We intentionally turn in a new direction, step back, explore a fresh viewpoint. It’s a powerful symbolic gesture—one of looking differently, breaking from a rigid mindset, and questioning the status quo. Twists teach us that everything depends on perspective; sometimes, the slightest shift in gaze can transform a whole situation.
💨 Breathing Into Discomfort
Twists aren’t always pleasant. They compress, tighten, and stir up our comfort zones. But that’s precisely where their magic lies—they teach us how to find space in what feels narrow, to breathe despite constraints, and to fully inhabit the present moment.
In that way, twists become a beautiful training ground for life itself: helping us center, adapt, and evolve—without losing ourselves.
🧘 Integrating Twists Into Your Practice
At the beginning of a session, twists awaken the spine. Midway through, they balance energy. At the end, they cool and prepare the body for relaxation.
Whether simple or complex, seated or supine, twists are accessible to all. The key is to practice them consciously, gently, and with focused inner attention.
In yoga—as in life—sometimes the way forward is… a turn.
So, what if today you gave yourself permission to shift perspective? To turn inward, to release what’s been stuck, to let what’s blocked start to flow again?
Twists will guide you there—breath by breath.