A month ago I participated in one of the Instagram Yoga challenges, organized by some amazing yoga accounts. The idea was to post every day for 7 days and the theme was mostly to create funky shapes based on traditional yoga poses. A fun and challenging twist to the normal practice.
Since I have always practiced at home, these challenges help me to stay consistent and motivate me to try something new or work towards a new goal. As you might have experienced, maintaining a fitness routine at home can get tricky if you do the same thing every day.
Lattice
Lattice is a lovely variation of forward fold where you try to align your hands and feet to make the shape of a lattice. The full pose was extremely popular on social media at one point. I have tried this simple variation. My attempt at the actual pose looked like anything but a lattice.
Standing Mermaid Pose
This pose came to me easily a few years ago. But I haven’t done this in a while as I don’t include it in my daily practice. So getting my hands wrapped around like this took a fair bit of time. After lots of warm-ups and falls and fumbles, I was able to find a little balance. No, it wasn’t very comfortable.
Side Crow Yoga Pose
I was actually more comfortable doing Side Crow than Standing Mermaid. For some reason, I find arm balances easier than backbends.
Shiva Pose Variation
Shiva Pose is way too advanced for me. Also, I haven’t really been able to dedicate a complete flow for the pose. So here is a variation of Shiva pose for beginners/intermediate practitioners. It does need flexible hips and shoulder mobility, but this might bring me a step closer to Shiva Pose.
Infinity Pose
Although it looks as if the infinity symbol has been flattened, I was actually surprised that I could do this pose. It was my first time trying this pose. Looks like all the flexibility and mobility drills that I usually include in my routine are working.
Camel Splits
This was my first time doing Camel Splits. Or attempting the pose. My flexibility still needs a lot of work to make lines straight. But frankly, I was quite happy that my leg actually straightened. I front splits had taken over a year of practice – My Journey to Front Splits . So this variation of splits would take a bit more time.
Mermaid in Camel Pose
Not really know the actual name of the pose. I find this variation of Camel Pose combined with Mermaid Pose very pretty, and also a bit more intense than Camel Pose.
Super Soldier Pose
Super soldier is still not an easy pose for me to do. Needs lots of warm-ups and hip exercises before I can even think of attempting it. I wrote about my experience and how I learned to do this pose – Super Soldier pose
Standing Wall Splits
Working on my standing splits this year. The straps and the wall provide great support to improve flexibility and balance. in my excitement sometimes I do get stuck in the pose with my legs at an awkward angle. I have to do silly-looking hops to get out of the pose. It’s a good thing that I practice at home, else imagine doing this outside. My antics would definitely have turned into a TikTok meme.
Related Post – Yoga at Home for Beginners | 9 Easy Steps
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Raj, you are amazing and flexible. Reading you commentary on yourself, my mind tells me, let her know that as you try a mermaid, even a mermaid would wonder what to do! 🙂 I love that you make time for this and when I do it, all I could think of how humbling it is. You are amazingly inspiring, Raj.
Thank you so much. I had to push back on a lot of things after becoming a mother, but fitness was something I needed … the best way I could do self care and spend some time with myself. I am really grateful I am able to continue my fitness journey. 😄
Amazing, Raj! You have such a supple and flexible body. I would badly get twisted if I attempted even half of any of these poses. More power to you! I found the Infinity pose both intriguing and complicated.
Thank you so much. I still fear I would get twisted when I try it. 😄
You are so flexible Rajlakshmi! I’m amazed at your yoga poses…will never be able to reach such a level in this lifetime for sure. Well done, girl and so proud to see how you are pushing yourself towards newer goals.
Thank you so much. Your words mean a lot to me ❤️
My goodness Raj, this post blew me away – the lattice and the infinity had me puzzling where your hands ended and legs began. Also, you have great upper body strength. Amazing!
Hahaha I felt like that too when I first attempted it. My practice videos are hilarious. Thank you so much.