When I was brand new to yoga, I was surprised that there were more advanced poses that I could easily get into like half lotus pose (as opposed to simple cross-legged pose or sukhasana) or upward plank pose. I realized that people come to yoga at a wide array of starting points. Me personally, I couldn't touch my toes in standing forward bend. I couldn't touch my head to the floor in child's pose. Certain poses like crane pose, chaturanga dandasana, and side plank pose were like a big joke . . . I couldn't even begin to get into those poses.
While I still find these last three challenging, now that I've been practicing over a year, I am so pleased that I can get into the poses and stay there long enough to explore my breath and explore what's going on in my body. I can stay there long enough to make adjustments and experience the benefits of these poses.
But what has me straight tickled pink these days is that finally, I can get into upward wheel pose. It seems like up until a month ago, I absolutely had to modify this pose. I simply did not have the strength to get into the position and if I did get into it with help, I couldn't stay there for very long at all. I had been modifying with bridge pose which is still a very lovely pose that my body likes and which I will still keep on doing depending on what my body says.
It's nice to mark the milestones in yoga. Even nicer to note how many more there will be.
3 comments:
I remember the absolute glee I felt when I found I was able to get into upward wheel pose. Even as a child that pose was difficult for me.
I've been practicing about a year and I am amazed and humbled by what I can and can't do.
Side Plank pose is one of my favorites. It’s great for the obliques. I found Leeann Carey has a great free yoga video that breaks it down. I thought your readers might want to check it out: http://planetyoga.com/yoga-blogs/index.php/free-yoga-video-side-plank-pose/
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