Revolved Chair Pose Defined

What Is Parivrtta Utkatasana?

Breaking down the Sanskrit: parivrtta means "revolved" or "twisted," utkata means "fierce," "powerful," or "awkward," and asana means "pose." So: revolved fierce pose, or more commonly, Revolved Chair Pose. You'll also hear it called Twisted Chair or Prayer Twist.

The pose combines the demands of Chair Pose (Utkatasana)—deep knee flexion, strong thighs, engaged core—with spinal rotation. This combination creates significant heat in the body and requires considerable focus to maintain. You can't check out in Revolved Chair; the moment you lose attention, you lose the pose.

Revolved Chair appears frequently in vinyasa flow sequences, often as part of a progression that includes Chair Pose, this twist, and then a transition to Twisted Side Angle or Twisted Triangle. It's a pose that defines the intensity of a power yoga class.

Setting Up the Pose

Start in Chair Pose

Begin in Utkatasana: feet together or hip-width apart, knees bent deeply (as if sitting back into an invisible chair), weight in the heels, spine long, arms reaching overhead or hands at heart center.

Bring Hands to Heart

From Chair, bring your palms together at your heart in Anjali Mudra (prayer position). This is your starting point for the twist.

Add the Twist

As you exhale, twist to the right, bringing your left elbow to the outside of your right thigh. Press the elbow against the thigh and the thigh back against the elbow—this reciprocal pressure deepens the rotation. Keep the knees even; the tendency is to let one slide forward as you twist.

Chest and Gaze

Draw the chest open toward the ceiling. The hands can stay in prayer, or for a deeper expression, extend the arms—left hand to the floor, right hand to the sky. Gaze follows the top hand if balance allows.

What the Pose Builds

• Leg strength — The bent-knee position works the quadriceps and glutes intensely
• Core engagement — Maintaining the twist while balancing requires significant abdominal work
• Spinal mobility — The rotation through the thoracic spine maintains healthy range of motion
• Balance and focus — The combination of demands leaves no room for distraction
• Heat and cardiovascular challenge — The muscular effort generates body heat quickly

Variations

Prayer Twist (Hands at Heart)

The most common version: hands in prayer, elbow outside the opposite knee. This provides leverage for the twist while keeping the pose compact.

With Arms Extended

Opening the arms—bottom hand toward the floor, top hand toward the ceiling—adds a shoulder stretch and intensifies the spinal rotation.

With a Bind

For more flexibility, wrap the bottom arm under the thigh and the top arm behind the back, clasping the hands. This is an advanced variation requiring significant shoulder mobility.

On a Block

If the bottom hand reaches for the floor in the extended version, placing it on a block reduces strain and helps maintain alignment.

Common Mistakes

Knees Sliding Apart

Keep the knees together (or parallel if feet are hip-width). The twist wants to separate them; resist this to maintain joint integrity.

Losing the Squat Depth

As you twist, there's a tendency to straighten the legs. Maintain the depth of your Chair Pose throughout the rotation.

Rounding the Spine

The emphasis on getting the elbow outside the knee can lead to spinal rounding. Keep the spine long and the chest lifting even if it means a smaller twist.

In Sequence

Revolved Chair typically follows regular Chair Pose and may transition to Low Lunge, Twisted Crescent, or directly into a vinyasa. It's often repeated on both sides before moving on, creating a balanced twist pattern.