Head to Knee Pose
Janu Sirsasana
Head to Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana) is treated in the Svayam library as a seated, forward bend practice. Sit with one leg extended and the other foot placed near the inner thigh; turn the torso toward the long leg and hinge forward from the hips while keeping length through the spine. The emphasis is on a repeatable, breath-friendly shape rather than achieving a fixed visual depth.
Breath: Inhale to create length through the spine.
Before you practise this
This library provides general educational guidance, not individual medical advice. Modify or omit a posture when a health condition, injury, pregnancy, surgery or clinician advice makes it inappropriate.
- Work within a pain-free range and come out of the pose if you feel sharp pain, numbness, dizziness or loss of control.
- Bend the knees or use props if hamstrings, hips or low back restrict a comfortable hinge.
How to do Head to Knee Pose
- 1Set up the starting position and establish a stable, comfortable base.
- 2Sit with one leg extended and the other foot placed near the inner thigh; turn the torso toward the long leg and hinge forward from the hips while keeping length through the spine.
- 3Refine the position only while the breath remains smooth and the joints feel supported.
- 4Stay for several comfortable breaths or for the duration appropriate to the practice goal.
- 5Exit slowly by reversing the entry and pause briefly in a neutral position before continuing.
What the pose is doing
Sit with one leg extended and the other foot placed near the inner thigh; turn the torso toward the long leg and hinge forward from the hips while keeping length through the spine.
Alignment cues
- Prioritise a stable base before increasing range of motion.
- Keep the breath easy; if breathing becomes strained, reduce the intensity of the shape.
- Initiate the fold from the hips and allow the knees to bend to preserve spinal length.
Breathing
- Inhale to create length through the spine.
- Exhale as you soften into the fold without forcing depth.
Common mistakes
- Chasing depth or appearance at the expense of steady breathing and joint comfort.
- Pulling aggressively with the arms and rounding from the waist instead of hinging from the hips.
Tips for beginners
- Use blocks, a strap, wall or chair whenever a prop helps you maintain a clearer and more comfortable shape.
- A small knee bend is often more useful than forcing straight legs.
Benefits
- Encourages mobility through the posterior chain when practised without forcing range.
- Supports awareness of pelvic position and upright spinal organisation.
- Encourages body awareness and a repeatable relationship between movement and breath.
- Can be scaled with props or range changes to support gradual skill development.
Variations
Make it easier
- Bend the knees and bring the floor closer with blocks.
Standard
- Practise the described classical or commonly taught version with steady breathing and controlled transitions.
Make it harder
- Deepen the hinge gradually without sacrificing spinal length or breath quality.
Anatomy
Anatomy fields describe broad movement emphasis rather than claiming a single muscle activation pattern; actual loading varies with proportions, variation, props and technique.
Regions worked
Joint actions
Notes for teachers
- Cue the base and direction of effort before cueing a deeper range.
- Offer at least one prop-supported or lower-intensity option.
Sequencing
Prepare with
Follow with
Counter pose
Practise Head to Knee Pose with feedback
Reading the cues is one thing; knowing whether your own alignment matches them is another. Svayam's posture analysis watches you through your camera and tells you what to change - and a teacher can review the same session afterwards.
Already practising? Open Head to Knee Pose in your library
This page is general information about a yoga posture, not medical advice. If you have an injury, a medical condition, or are pregnant, check with a qualified health professional before practising.