Wind Release

Pavanmuktasana

Pose categories

Forward bends, Supine

Primary body parts engaged

Lower Back, Spine

Secondary

Abs, Knees

Strengthens low back, stretches spine

Improves digestion, massages reproductive organs

Promotes breathing awareness

How to perform wind release

1. Lie on your back with your legs together.
2. Bend your right leg with an exhale, interlace your fingers around your shin and hug your knee into your chest. Inhale deeply.
3. Lift your head with an exhale and touch your forehead or chin to your knee. Hold for a few seconds.
4. Lower your head to the floor with an inhale. Continue hugging your knee and take slow, deep breaths. Release.
5. Change sides.

Alignment cues

• Press straight leg into floor
• Hug knee into chest
• Lift shoulders from floor
• Press thigh to belly

Always start with the right leg as this follows the movement of the colon.

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Wind release (Pavanmuktasana in Sanskrit) is a beginner yoga pose that belongs to the forward bends and supine categories. This asana targets lower back and spine and also involves abs and knees muscles. Wind release stretches and strengthens legs, opens chest; rejuvenates abdominal organs and also reduces fatigue, increases energy. Refer to the illustration and instructions above for how to perform this posture correctly. Discover more yoga asanas and yogic breathing exercises in our free yoga pose directory.