Partner Yoga Teacher Training: How I Teach The Spinal Twist Partner Yoga Pose
Greetings, my lovely Yogis, Yoginis, and Yoga teachers. I’m George Watts, a BWY yoga teacher and creator of the Online Yoga Lesson Planner.
In this partner yoga teacher training post, I’ll walk you through how I teach the Spinal Twist Partner Pose, including modifications and teaching tips to help your students experience a deep, connected stretch.
The Spinal Twist Partner Pose is one of the 3000+ poses within the Online Yoga Lesson Planner.
7 Spinal Twist Pose Benefits
- Stretches spine, shoulders and hips.
- Massages abdominal organs.
- Relieves lower backache, neck pain and sciatica.
- Helps relieve stress.
- Improves digestion.
- Strengthens the lower back.
- Therapeutic for carpal tunnel syndrome.
10 Spinal Twist Partner Pose Teaching Steps
- Get in a circle (2 or more people)
- Extend left legs (feet touching)
- Right knee over left leg
- Press right big toe into the floor
- Press hip down
- Hug knee into chest
- Inhale and lengthen
- Exhale and rotate
- Release
- Repeat on the other leg
7 Spinal Twist Partner Pose Teaching Tips
Encourage Gentle Twisting – Partners should twist gradually, avoiding force to protect the spine.
Sync the Breath – Inhale to lengthen the spine and exhale to deepen the twist together.
Maintain a Tall Spine – Remind partners to sit upright before twisting to prevent rounding the back.
Engage the Core – Activating the core muscles helps stabilise and support the twist.
Use Light Pressure – Partners should apply gentle resistance without pulling or straining each other.
Keep the Hips Grounded – Both sit bones should stay connected to the mat for proper alignment.
Communicate & Adjust – Encourage partners to check in and modify the depth of the twist as needed.
7 Spinal Twist Partner Pose Modifications
Seated on a Block – If partners struggle to sit upright, they can sit on yoga blocks to elevate the hips and lengthen the spine.
Back-to-Back Variation – Instead of holding hands, partners sit back-to-back and twist by pressing against each other for support.
One-Leg Extended – If one partner has tight hips, they can extend one leg straight while keeping the other bent.
Gentle Hand Placement – Instead of gripping wrists, partners can place hands lightly on each other’s knees for a softer, more accessible twist.
Cross-Legged Position – For more comfort, partners can sit in an easy cross-legged position instead of keeping the legs straight.
Chair-Seated Twist – If sitting on the floor is uncomfortable, partners can perform the twist while seated on chairs for better spinal support.
Restorative Version – Instead of using each other for leverage, partners can use a bolster or wall to support the twist at their own intensity level.
