Scorpion Pose (Vrischikasana A)

Scorpion Pose is an extreme inversion-backbend hybrid in which the practitioner balances on the forearms in Forearm Balance and then bends the knees deeply, arching the spine until the feet hover toward the crown of the head in a striking curled shape. It simultaneously demands open shoulders and thoracic spine, strong deep core control, and the mental composure to remain calm upside down. It is a pinnacle pose of advanced practice, often signaling years of dedicated inversion and backbend preparation.

Cues

• Press the forearms firmly and evenly into the mat — equal pressure through inner and outer edges prevents side-rolling.
• Lengthen through the sternum before you begin to arc the feet overhead so the backbend originates from the thoracic spine rather than the lumbar.
• Keep the gaze slightly forward and upward to help maintain the balance point over the forearms.
• Exhale fully before kicking up, then use a slow inhale to guide the legs into the arch.