Yoga Glossary · Joint Actions
Lateral flexion (side bending)
Bending the trunk sideways — one side shortens, the other side lengthens.
Lateral flexion is side bending: the spine curves to one side, bringing the ribs toward the pelvis on that side while the opposite side lengthens. It is driven by the obliques, quadratus lumborum and the spinal muscles on the shortening side, and it stretches the intercostals and lats on the opening side.
Standing side bends, the lean of Reverse Warrior and the long side line of Triangle and Extended Side Angle all use lateral flexion. It is also a breathing tool: bend one way and the opening side's ribs have room to expand, so side bends are used to direct breath into a stiff side of the ribcage.
In practice
- In Reverse Warrior the top side body lengthens — that opening is the stretch; the bottom obliques do the holding.
- Keep both sides of the waist long even as you bend — collapsing is compression, not flexion.
- Side bends pair naturally with deep inhales into the open side.
Poses built on this action
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The Yoga Glossary is an educational study reference. Definitions are standard yoga and anatomy knowledge in plain language; nothing here is medical advice.