Yoga Anatomy

Parsvottanasana Variation

With Arms in Reverse Namaskar

E5267/Kaminoff/fig6.31/417659/alw/pulled-r3

Latissimus

dorsi

Subscapularis

Trapezius

Serratus

anterior

Infraspinatus

Deltoid

Teres

major

Rhomboids

Teres minor

Notes

This arm position can be incorporated into a variety of asanas. It requires a fair amount of
mobility in the shoulder girdle, and if the scapulae are not able to move easily on the rib
cage, bringing the hands into this position may direct excessive pressure into the shoulder
joints themselves.
Bringing the arms into the position generally involves abducting the scapulae and spread-
ing them away from the spine before the final actions of adducting the scapulae and moving
them toward the spine. This final movement of adduction is much more challenging if the
spine is flexed or if the scapulae are depressed and pulled down the back.

(continued)