YogaFold
YOGAFOLD · POSE GUIDE
Bird of Paradise
Svarga Dvijasana
Wrap an arm beneath one leg and bind your hands behind your back, then rise onto the other leg. Extend the bound leg sideways and upward while keeping your torso upright. Keeping that knee bent is a preparation.
svarga (heaven) + dvija (bird or twice-born being) → Bird of Paradise.
This is a complex balance that rises while bound. This entry does not provide a photo-based self-teaching procedure.
This entry explains preparation and movement characteristics. It does not provide a complete practice procedure for the advanced photographed variation. Learn entry and exit directly with a teacher.
Movement guidance
Preparation
Prepare an unbound Side Angle Pose and a standing balance separately.
Understanding the movement
This bound balance rises to standing with the arms wrapped beneath a bent leg and hands joined behind the back, before extending the raised leg.
Hold and breathe
Do not force the back bind and leg extension together. Keep breathing comfortably without holding your breath.
Exit and next movement
Confirm with a teacher the order for lowering the leg and releasing the bind.
Easier variations and preparation
Keep the raised knee bent or practice a standing balance without the bind.
Difficulty refers to the photographed form. Individual experience may differ.
Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Ardha Uttanasana (Half Standing Forward Bend)