Many people take up Yoga as a way to relax, reduce stress and bring a sense of inner calmness. For me, balancing poses are the most effective at reducing the stresses of life because they require all my attention and focus, that I am forced to forget about everything else. Staying in the pose and not falling requires all your effort and concentration. Once you release the pose, you feel an amazing wave of relief and contentment.
Here are some of my favorite balancing poses. Some of them solely challenge your sense of balance, and others also challenge your strength and flexibility. Just click on the name of the pose to learn how to get into them.
| Sanskrit Name: Bakasana English Translation: Crane Pose Also Called: Crow |
 |
| Sanskrit Name: (beginner's) Vasisthasana English Translation: Sage Pose Also Called: Side Plank |
 |
Want to see the others? Then read more
| Sanskrit Name: Bakasana English Translation: Half Moon Pose Also Called: |
 |
| Sanskrit Name: Upavishta Konasana English Translation: Seated Angle Pose Also Called: Balancing Wide Legs |
 |
| Sanskrit Name: Baddha Hasta Sirsasana B English Translation: Bound Hands Headstand Pose Also Called: Double Arm Headstand |
 |
| Sanskrit Name: Pincha Mayurasana English Translation: Feathered Peacock Pose Also Called: Forearm Stand |
 |
| Sanskrit Name: Garudasana English Translation: Eagle Pose Also Called: Eagle |
 |
| Sanskrit name: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana A English translation: Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose Also called: Standing Hand to Big Toe A |
 |
Marc O'Polo
Aminaka Wilmont
Manoush
Ugh. Balance is my demon. I can do many of the arm balancing poses, but try to balance on one leg and I turn into the world's biggest klutz. Eagle pose in particular is a DISASTER. I guess we all have our Waterloo...
1Man, Crow is so hard! The position gets to my wrists for some reason. I can do a baby crow by just lifting one leg, but that's as far as I can go right now.
2Oh, Bakasana ... one day, you will be mine.
By the way, FitSugar - Half Moon Pose is Ardha Chandrasana.
3UrbanBohemian - try bracing your knees on your upper arms, as close to your armpits as possible, and squeeze. Also, spread out your fingers wide and press them hard into the floor so your weight is distributed throughout your hands, not just your palms, which strains your wrists.
4is there a good book you can buy with all these poses and more in it?
5omg the poses on the arms or headstands seem nearly impossible for me..I can barely stand on one foot with my eyes closed
6I've attempted the first three! Boy are they hard. the side planks rrrrrreaaalllyy kill me.
7UrbanBohemian,
Lily314's suggestions are great. You might also want to try shifting your weight forward into your heart/chest while keeping your elbows and forearms aligned over your wrists. If your shifting your weight forward through your shoulders or upper back rather than your heart, you may be putting extra strain on your wrists.
Jeez, it's really hard to describe how to do that one!!! The balance sure is tricky.
8One thing that can help for balance poses like eagle is to stretch your feet beforehand with a theraband (maybe this is just me and my messed up, nerve damaged feet. I used to dance). But it definitely makes a difference for me and makes my old injuries happier. Just flex and pointe through the band for a couple minutes, really working the feet.
9Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.