Matsyendrasana: The Lord of the Fishes

‘The Spine is the Highway to the Infinite’

Paramhansa Yogananda

Matsyendrasana is the ultimate twisting pose. It is a staple asana in traditional practices, recorded in the oldest known text on Hatha yoga, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. It has inspired many of the poses we see in modern yoga, birthing numerous variations that ignite your agni, your digestive fire, and elongate the spine to make for the harmonious flow of energy.

Matsyendra, the Lord (indra) of the Fishes (matsya), gives his name to this pose and it is via his story that its symbolic significance becomes clear.

The Myth

Matsyendra was born under an inauspicious star. An astrologer warned his parents of the doom his existence would bring them, and so they flung their newborn child into the Great Ocean of Kula. A giant fish lingered below and swallowed the baby whole. For reasons beyond understanding, Matsyendra survived and resided in the belly of this fish for twelve long years until one day he happened to overhear a conversation between the yogi God, Shiva and his lover Parvati. The couple lounged on the shore of Candradvipa (Moon Island) and Shiva had determined to bestow upon Parvati his sacred yogic knowledge. The Goddess dozed while Shiva spoke, but Matsyendra listened with rapture to his teachings, concealed under the waterline. Shiva imparted the entirety of his yogic wisdom, despite his sleeping consort.

After hearing the divine mysteries, Matsyendra began his own practice, still trapped within the fish. He became a dedicated practitioner of yoga, but remained another twelve years in his watery prison. Finally, a fisherman caught the fish and split open its belly to reveal Matsyendra within. He emerged as a great sage and set forth to spread the word of Shiva. In so doing, he created a lineage of Nath Yogis, whose tantric practises marked the beginning of Hatha yoga.

The Meaning

Matsyendra’s story is one of transformation. He is lost in the Ocean of Kula or ‘being’ and transcends this state after he’s imbued with the means to master his limited existence. Shiva embodies the concept of pure consciousness and the Moon Island from which he preaches is linked to spiritual awakening in Hindu mythology. Matsyendra’s encounter with him here illustrates the mental process of turning ones attention from physical reality, Kula or being, to focus instead on the inner workings of the mind. It is via cultivating awareness of Shiva, of the inner voice, of consciousness, that we are able to move further along on our spiritual path. Matsyendrasana is a physical representation of this shift from physical to spiritual reality, turning away from the material to embrace the hidden self, to connect to the divine within us.  

The Benefits

The primary benefits of practising Matsyendrasana and similar seated twists are related to the physical health of the spinal cord and the energetic channel with which it corresponds. In a measurable sense, the pose improves the mobility and flexibility of the back, while strengthening and expanding its range of motion. This combats back pain, sciatica, general tension, the stress that manifests within the shoulders and neck. This influence alone will have a positive mental effect, but a healthy spine is said to have a significant impact on our energetic health also. Considered to be the main channel between mind and body, the spine carries along it the flow of prana, or our life force energy. By maintaining this pathway, prana can more successfully circulate, increasing the vitality of all our bodily functions. In turn, our chakra system, which aligns with the spine as well, is rejuvenated by the unobstructed channel. It is through the chakras that Kundalini energy travels. Tantric practitioners believe Matsyendrasana can help initiate a Kundalini awakening, in which energy moves up the spine to the top of the head, wherein consciousness expands.

The twist is extremely beneficial for our digestive system too. Due to the gentle compression of our abdomen, the organs are stimulated, metabolism is improved and the body is detoxified. This alleviates stomach-related illnesses and constipation. This has a knock-on effect: a fully functioning digestive system frees up the brain to allow for clarity of mind and a deeper meditation practice.

Other Benefits

- It functions as a gentle stretch for the glutes and inner thighs

- It is quite a strong opening for the hips

- It improves circulation to the sex organs and is particularly rejuvenating for the female reproductive system

- It opens up the diaphragm for deeper breathing and improved lung capacity

- It can help balance the Solar Plexus Chakra

How-To

1. Start seated in a Staff pose (dandasana), with the legs together, straight out in front of you. Keep the spine erect, chin slightly tucked and the held up proudly. Pull the navel into the spine and place the palms next to you on the floor.

2. Bend your right leg and bring the right foot to rest next to the outside of your left knee, maintaining that straight back.

3. Bend the left leg and place the left foot close to your right buttock. Point the left toes to keep the leg engaged.

4. Windmill the right arm behind you to place the fingertips on the ground, close to your buttocks.

5. Inhale to reach your left arm up to the sky, rotate the chest to the right, then exhale to bend the left elbow. Hook it onto the outside of the right knee, keeping the forearm stretched towards the sky.

6. Use your left elbow to push and project your chest further towards the right. Bring your gaze to look over the right shoulder.

7. Once you’ve entered this posture, you can inhale to expand the chest, the exhale to twist further.

8. Come to stillness, hold the twist and close your eyes to bring the focus inwards. Become aware of the breath, then draw your attention to the point between the eyebrows.

9. Meditate here for as long as is comfortable then slowly come back to the starting posture. When you’re ready, complete on the opposite side.

10. After practising the posture, make sure to spend some time in relaxation. Adopt savasana and notice any sensation in the spine. Take a few moments to experience energy moving down the spine as you inhale and up to the crown as you exhale.

Try channelling Matsyendra in your next practice. Twist away from the physical and embrace what is hidden within your psyche. Allow your spine to be the highway to new spiritual heights.

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