Mind Body Studio

“Yoga is not what you can do, it is what yoga does to you.”
~Prashant Iyengar

May 2026 edition

In our “Tuesdays with Prashant” quote series we will be highlighting Prashant Iyengar’s wisdom, insights and teachings on classical yoga. ✨

Don’t force the twist.
Build the twist.

In Iyengar Yoga, a twist is not created by turning harder.
It is built through preparation.

The body should not be thrown into Parivrtta Trikonasana, Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, or deep seated twists without first creating the right conditions.

We begin simply.
Sukhasana twist.
Virasana twist.
Dandasana variations.
These actions teach the body to sit, lift, and organize the spine before revolving.

Then we deepen with support.
A block.
A chair.
A wall.
A blanket.

Support is not a shortcut.
It gives the body clearer information. It helps the spine lift, the chest open, and the breath remain steady.

Only then do we progress gradually into deeper twists:
Marichyasana III.
Bharadvajasana.
Ardha Matsyendrasana.
Parivrtta standing poses.

The key principle:
Lengthen first. Revolve second.

If the spine is short, the twist compresses.
If the legs are passive, the trunk struggles.
If the breath becomes tight, the pose has gone too far.

Iyengar Yoga teaches us to sequence with intelligence, not ambition.
Because the aim is not to twist more.
The aim is to twist with space.

💬 Which twist do you find most challenging — seated twists or standing twists?