Vasisthasana Side Plank Pose Modifications and Accessibility

vasisthasana modifications

Vasisthasana modifications are an important piece of accessible yoga.  We want to learn how to maintain the integrity of this posture without the balancing challenge and the pressure on the wrists.  Let's begin by discussing the traditional posture and then we will look at Vasisthasana modifications and accessibility options. 

How to Practice Vasisthasana Side Plank Posture:

• Begin in plank pose
• Keep the fingers elongated, the belly zipped in and up
• Extend through the heels and the crown of the head
• Shift the weight into the right hand and begin to roll onto the blade of the right foot
• Roll the left chest and left hip open and extend the left arm to the sky as you stack the feet
• Keep the core strong and the side body long
• Option to turn the gaze up to the left hand or keep the drishti straight ahead if that feels better
• To exit the posture, come back into plank and drop down on the knees

Vasisthasana Side Plank Contraindications and Cautions

• Wrist injury
• Elbow injury
• Shoulder injury

Benefits of Vasisthasana / Side Plank Posture

• Strengthens the arms, belly, and legs
• Stretches and strengthens the wrists
• Improves sense of balance

Vasisthasana Modifications, Props and Vasisthasana Accessibility:

• You can use blocks under the hands or under the hips
• You can use a wall or a chair
• You can drop the bottom knee down
• You can stagger the feet rather than stack them
• You can bend the knee of the top leg and bring the top foot flat in front of you for support while keeping the bottom leg extended

Side Plank Bottom Leg Down With or Without Block:

Probably the most common of Vasisthasana modifications is to lower the bottom knee.  This accessibility option for side plank makes sense for many people. 

By lowering the bottom knee, we take out a lot of the balance challenge in the posture and the bottom shin shares in weight bearing which eases the burden on the core to stabilize and takes some of the pressure off of the wrist.  You can always use a block under the bottom hand if that feels good in this posture.  The gaze can be up towards the top hand or out in front.  Another variation here is to lift the top leg. 

Side Plank Top Leg Bent With Block:

This is one of my favorite side plank modifications.  It can be helpful to practice side plank with the top leg bent and the top foot planted on the floor in front of you because it takes some of the pressure off of the wrist.  This variation gives us the opportunity to really open through the front body and cultivate a sense of balance.

To come into this variation, start in tabletop.  Scoot your right knee a bit to the right so that it aligns with the right wrist.  Next, start to extend the left leg long and roll the left side of the body open as you shift the weight into the right hand and right knee.  The right shin should come parallel with the short side of the mat. 

Stack the shoulders and extend the left arm straight up to the sky.  The drishti can be up towards the left hand or it can be straight ahead if that feels better in your body. 

Side Plank With Wall:

Practicing side plank on the wall is an excellent option for increasing body awareness in this posture.  Vasisthasana accessibility can be complicated for many people and when we practice this side plank variation on the wall we are able to feel all of the intended movements in our body without the distractions of balancing on the mat.  It helps us to learn where we are in space with the same bodily experience of the posture on the mat while having the added support to build confidence and strength. 

To come into this variation of Vasisthasana, begin standing a little more than arm's reach from the wall.  Line your right side body up with the wall and then bring the palm of the right hand onto the wall with the fingertips pointing up.  Take an inhale and lengthen through the crown of the head and then step about a foot more away from the wall.  

Start to press into the right hand and start to roll onto the outer edge of the right foot.  Draw the inner thighs towards each other and zip up through the inseam of both legs.  The left heel may stack on the right heel, or you may keep the left foot grounded.  Keep the core strong and maintain length through both sides of the body.  The chest should stay lifted.  Extend the left arm out to the side, in line with the shoulder.  The gaze can be out towards the left hand or straight ahead. 

Side Plank With Chair:

Side plank with a chair is a great variation if you want to experience the posture without dumping so much weight into your bottom hand.  When you start by teaching Vasisthasana on the wall, you can then move to a chair as you're ready to take on a bit more weight.  Using the support of the chair still helps you to find the integrity of the posture without bearing all of the weight.

Side Plank With Feet Staggered and Two Blocks:

Another one of my favorite Vasisthasana modifications is to practice with two blocks under the hands.  This helps us to create space and keep some of the pressure off of the wrists.  In this variation of side plank, the feet can be stacked or staggered.  

Side Plank With One Block Under Hand:

The next progression in side plank is to work with one block under the hand instead of two.  We have gradually progressed down to the floor and we are now in a diagonal position to the earth.  The block can be helpful in keeping some space. In this variation of side plank, you may choose to stack the feet or stagger them.  

After practicing Vasisthasana for many years, I choose to use the block regularly because it protects my wrists and keeps me from dumping into my bottom shoulder.  I tend to find more openness in the chest this way and don't feel like I'm collapsing into the posture.  Everyone's body is unique and that's what accessible yoga is all about.  Through exploring so many options, we are able to find what works in our own body.