Most to least favourite Yoga posture
"Asana is a laboratory in which we discover how to tolerate pain that cannot be avoided and how to transform pain that can"
B.K.S. Iyengar
Have you ever asked yourself why you love certain postures in your Yoga flow and why you dread or simply feel uncomfortable when it comes to others, beyond the physical limitations?
Are you curious what poses people classify as their favourite ones in Yoga and which fall behind in the top preferences? Let’s dive right in!
Usually, when people think about the poses they love mostly in Yoga they think immediately about the physical benefits, such as elongating the hamstrings, opening the hips or shoulders, strengthening the core, or working on their balance, but many are also well aware about the energetics behind the poses, therefore they might prefer some more calming or grounding ones that can help them relax further into a state of deep restoration and meditation. However, one’s go-to posture is not necessarily another’s. Each of us has different emotional and physical needs during a Yoga class, therefore postures could work very differently from person to person.
Some of the Yoga poses that people seem to prefer in a regular flow are: Lotus pose, Viparita Karani (legs up the wall), Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward dog), Balasana (Child’s pose), Janu shirsana (head to knee pose), Bhujangasana (cobra), Sarvangasana (shoulder stand), Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) and Virabhadrasana (warrior poses). The poses that are the least preferred are the ones that require more challenges from a physical standpoint, that take time to master and require an intense inner focus, some examples being intense backbends like Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel pose), also Sirsasana (headstand), Vrikshasana (Tree pose) or Bakasana (Crow pose). Surprisingly, many mention Savasana or corpse pose as the ultimate challenge, due to the element of stillness that it embodies, the way the class is brought into completion yet the real practice (of silence and meditation) starts, requiring a deep level of profound physical and mental relaxation.
It is important to mention here that some of these poses as well as others that seem more approachable, can be perhaps unattainable and unsustainable for people that suffer from different conditions or injuries and practicing these poses that are often labelled as advanced are by no means a sign of competence as to whether one can practice Yoga or not. As a teacher, I believe in the importance of gradually introducing the student to all postures, not emphasizing the difficulty of some of them right away or make it a competition. Also thread lightly when it comes to focusing only on certain postures simply for the purpose of challenging the students, rather trying to incorporate different elements in a more fluid and holistic flow and not missing out on the importance of pranayama and meditation, as well.
There are a few reminders that work well in grounding us more whenever we practice Yoga and most importantly, reminding us why we practice. Firstly, understanding why some poses feel uncomfortable on a mental level, for example why one cannot reach the toes when doing a forward fold and, instead of resisting it, embracing this aspect in the journey because it is deeply humbling. Another one is to approach the posture in a mindful way, using props if needed and allowing some time to settle into it, before making any judgment call. Understanding our mental reactions and patterns during a class are key indicators of the quality of our practice and also, of the quality of our life.
Maybe the poses we enjoy the most are beneficial because they open a certain part of the body that regularly carries a lot of tension, for example the hips, shoulders or chest. Maybe other poses feel very restorative and calming, little breaks in which we can connect to ourselves better (e.g. Balasana, child's pose) or feel empowered and resilient (e.g. Vriksasana, tree pose). In opposition, the poses we fear or dislike the most can be our greatest teachers, they are the ones we could return sometimes to do a check in and understand better our reactions to it or whether any physical limitation can be supported via props or any adjustments. Approaching the posture also gradually, with small steps without going directly into the full expression. Explore a sequence that can help one with understanding and tackling challenging postures, for example shoulder stretches and heart openers as a preparation for Sirsasana (headstand), but always being respectful of the limits and stepping out of a pose that triggers physical pain.
I have many favourite poses that I return to on and on, such as balance ones (Warrior 3, half-moon pose or Tree Pose) because they are a great check-in of my emotional state that day, as well as hip openers that feel empowering for me (Malasana, Pigeon pose). I personally have some postures that I approach with resistance, even if I try to incorporate them in my classes, for example some backbends like Matsyasana (Fish pose). It is important to remember there is always a reason or a story behind each pose that we love and embrace full-heartedly and the one we avoid or dislike for whatever reason; it could be the energy (or lack of energy) triggered in that area; it could feel unusual because it is new and not the usual way of maintaining our body throughout the day (inversions for example) or it could simply trigger some unexpected emotions or trauma (hip openers are mostly common for this case or some inversions).
It is necessary to remember we all have bodies built up differently, therefore some poses will come in more naturally to some and others won’t. Some people might sweat and struggle with arm balances but love hip openers, and the other way round. The key is to always show up, always practice, even if it is not always going to work out and be smooth. Compassion and self-compassion are important tools we can cultivate here, in our growth on the Yoga path, as well as shifting our beliefs and our perspective and developing equanimity.
Another key aspect in our understanding of Yoga postures is also getting to know and understand the symbolism of certain Yoga poses and embrace that in our practice. Most names of postures represent different symbols, animals, elements of nature or sages, and by knowing this, we could potentially embrace the symbolism and energy of the pose itself, taking our practice to the next level. For example, Sphynx is meant to cultivate strength and resilience, Child’s pose or Balasana provides comfort and safety, most standing poses imply determination, dynamism and power, like Tadasana, Warriors or Garudasana (Eagle pose), whereas Corpse pose or Savasana symbolizes surrendering to life, rebirth, regeneration.
I believe there is always a reason why we love the poses we love and I definitely encourage students and teachers alike to keep on practicing them, since they are meant to ground us more, to restore our bodies, to nurture our minds and our energy. However, I think also getting out of our comfort zone at least sometimes, helps us grow a lot and learn more about ourselves. How we approach a posture is also a reflection on how we approach life. Are we able to let go of our fears and limitations and step into the mind of an explorer when we practice Yoga? Or do we recharge only when coming back to our favourite flow that feels like home? Why not try both?
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