Challenge yourself with these 5 yoga poses

I realized today that I haven’t written much about fitness and yoga in the last few months. As the year is coming to an end, let me post this one final Yoga related post. Btw, did anyone try the 3 Funky Yoga Arm Balances I wrote about previously? It’s a step by step tutorial so do check it out 🙂 Plus Fallen Angel is so much fun.

I generally practice Hatha Yoga and love to challenge myself with new yoga poses. Since I always practice at home, my sequence starts with light stretching or Suryanamaskar. After that, few deeper stretches and backbends, followed by inversions. And finally cooling down asanas like spinal twists and savasana. Although it’s hard on the ego, I never jump into a new pose without starting from basic asanas, and then slowly transition into intermediate poses. It had taken me months to understand how some of these poses even work. 🙂

But let’s be a little adventurous today. Here are 5 yoga poses to challenge yourself. Since I learn everything from Youtube, I have provided a few links to Youtube tutorials that I found helpful.

Headstand Split (Utthita Pada Sirasasana)

If your Sirsasana is on point, take it a notch up and try to balance a headstand split. I had been trying to do splits for over a year now,  and so thought – why not upside down.

Koundiyasana II with folded knee

I transition into this pose by tilting forward from Chaturanga Dandasana and resting the knee on the elbow. There are numerous ways to do Koundiyasana II, from Sirsasana or from Fallen Angel pose. It is a challenging asana, but with continuous practice of preparatory poses, this will become an excellent core and upper body workout.

Youtube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FihEWMM5y_w

I am finally able to hold Eka Pada Koundinyasana 1. You can read about it here – Balancing Koundinyasana

Floating Camel Pose

On first look, I had seriously underestimated this pose. But once you try this pose, you will realize the challenge. It’s a backbend that stretches your legs and strengthens your core. And if you haven’t felt your thigh muscles in a long time, this pose will certainly do the honors.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrgDLqIdWGY

Balancing star pose (Utthita Ardha Chandrasana)

Have had enough of planks, try out this variation – with or without the support. Core On Fire!!

8 Angle Pose (Astavakrasana)

The first time I watched a tutorial on this pose, I had to keep rewinding to figure out what went where. It took me a long time to even get my legs on the triceps. But patience and persistence always pay. Frankly, I don’t get it right every day. But just practicing the preparatory poses provides an excellent warmup.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDfqM33mVlg

Hope you found this post helpful. Stay strong and humble.

Related Post: How to learn yoga at home | Easy tips for beginners

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