Which direction to face while doing yoga? In the starting position, you should stand straight, facing east or north. Then with every pose, you can face any direction. This way is beneficial to our health.
In yogic scriptures, it is mentioned that we have to breathe differently in different poses and change the flow of energy (prana) in the body.
During yoga practice, you breathe in a specific way that is different for each pose. For example, during the warrior pose (virabhadrasana), we inhale.
While exhaling, we turn our face towards the right side because we have to channel prana’s energy flow from left to right.
Similarly, while performing shoulder stand (Sarvangasana), we face the west direction, during Ardha (half) locanasa and Katharina konasana to the north; in matsyasana towards the east, etc.
At every stage of yoga practice, a different direction is associated with different types of energy flow and benefits for the body.
Beneficial directions for each pose
Different people practice yoga with different types of directions or angles and get amazing results. So there is no right or wrong to practicing yoga.
Everyone has the freedom to choose his own way of doing it. The purpose behind practicing yoga under a given direction is to flow energy in a specific manner.
Yoga is a way to attain freedom from all earthly problems and get peacefulness which will help you feel calm, reduce stress and connect with your inner self.
The most commonly used poses by yogis are the sun salutation (Suryanamaskar), shoulder stand (Sarvangasana), standing forward bend (Uttanasana), tree pose (Vrkasana), forward bending twist, child pose(Balasana), etc.
Which direction to face while doing yoga?
Benefits of yoga pose According to which direction you perform yoga, the energy will flow in a certain way, and the benefits will be.
For example, if we practice standing forward bend (Uttanasana) facing east, our liver and spleen stimulate and produce more blood. This is beneficial for us because it reduces anemia and blood pressure.
Facing east while doing the yoga pose
Benefits of facing east While practicing yoga poses, if we face east, our body gains energy throughout the day, resulting in better health and positive thinking.
East is considered as a direction that helps you plan for the future. Facing east while practicing yoga brings positive energy. All the negativity in the body gets disposed of, and you start feeling light throughout the day.
To be effective, it is also important to wear a yellow saree or dress during your yoga practice (especially if you practice at home). Because yellow color represents wealth, self-confidence, and positivity.
Facing north while doing the yoga pose
Benefits of facing north While practicing yoga poses, if we face north, our body gains stability throughout the day, resulting in better health and positive thinking.
North is considered as a direction that helps you plan for the future. Facing north while practicing yoga brings positive energy. All the negativity in the body gets disposed of, and you start feeling light throughout the day.
To be effective, it is also important to wear a blue saree or dress during your yoga practice (especially if you practice at home). Because blue color represents confidence, creativity, and calmness.
Facing west while doing the yoga pose
Benefits of facing west While practicing yoga poses, if we face west, our body gains energy in the evening, resulting in better health and positive thinking. West is considered as a direction that helps you plan for the future.
Facing west while practicing yoga brings positive energy. All the negativity in the body gets disposed of, and you start feeling light throughout the day.
To be effective, it is also important to wear an orange or red saree or dress during your yoga practice (especially if you practice at home). Because these colors represent creativity and enthusiasm.
Facing south while doing the yoga pose
Benefits of facing south While practicing yoga poses, if we face south, our body gains energy in the evening, resulting in better health and positive thinking.
South is considered as a direction that helps you plan for the future. Facing south while practicing yoga brings positive energy. All the negativity in the body gets disposed of, and you start feeling light throughout the day.
To be effective, it is also important to wear a yellow saree or dress during your yoga practice (especially if you practice at home). Because the yellow color represents wealth, self-confidence, and positivity.
The Bottom Line
Yoga is a great way to maintain balance and health in your life. It can also be a wonderful tool for relaxing the mind, clearing away stress, and often relieving physical ailments such as lower back pain or headaches.
The direction you face while doing yoga affects how it makes you feel physical. Different poses have specific benefits when done with certain directions facing.
Some yogis choose to do their practice sitting down, so they don’t need to worry about this alignment aspect! What does your routine look like?
Which way are you most likely going to face during your next session? Let us know in the comments below!
Dr. Aditya Gupta is a highly accomplished Indian doctor with extensive experience in the field of neurology. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Dr. Gupta completed his medical degree from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), followed by his postgraduate studies in neurology from the same institution.
