Fish Pose

Category: Backbend Level: Beginner Sanskrit: Matsyasana

Step-by-Step Guide

Lie on your back, legs extended or crossed

Place hands under hips, palms down

Inhale and lift chest, arching upper back

Let the top of your head rest lightly on the floor

Keep most weight on elbows, not on head

Hold 15–30 seconds and release carefully

Counterpose to shoulder stand. Opens chest and throat. Improves posture and breathing capacity.

Use a folded blanket under your back for a gentler version. Never put full weight on your head.

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Q: What is Fish Pose a counterpose to?

Fish Pose is the traditional counterpose to Shoulderstand and Plow Pose, neutralizing the extreme chin-lock compression of those poses.

Watch step-by-step demonstrations on YouTube.