On the 10th Day of Christmas

This twist energizes the spine and stimulates the digestive processes.  In the Twelve Days of Christmas carol, the "lords were leaping" on the tenth day.  This posture is entitled "Ardha Matsyendrasana"= Half Lord of the Fishes.  Matsyendra and Goraksha are often credited as the founders of the Hatha Yoga lineage.  Legend has it Matsyendra was tossed into the ocean when a baby and swallowed by a fish, hence his title, "Lord of the Fishes."  "Half" refers to the posture being modified and not the fullest expression where the foot of the bent leg rests in the hip crease of the straight leg . . . so TWIST on the TENTH Day of Christmas with a royal flair!  Sit up straight and tall, extending one leg with the foot flexed.  Bend the other leg and rest the foot inside or outside the knee.  You may hug the knee versus tucking the elbow on the outside of it, a modification or option I sometimes prefer.  The other arm reaches back as a second spine and you sit up tall and breathe.  On the inhale grow taller and on the exhale twist a fraction more.  Happy 10th Day of Christmas!  #zipaDEE12Days