This picture from this Yoga Journal article about extreme yoga poses posted on Instagram makes me hurt just by looking at it! Here’s a quote from the article:

“Even if many of us never will (or should) strike these advanced challenge poses, we can be inspired by their reminder of an important yogic principle—to explore, to play, and to laugh when we fall.”

I disagree that these poses are inspirational, or even “advanced” - there I said it. It may be fun to look at, but how many ordinary people would look at this and be encouraged to try a yoga class? What purpose does this pose serve, other than to get attention?

I was ecstatic when one of my students wrote an article for her community paper years ago about our chair yoga class, and the title was something like “Not Your Daughter’s Yoga.” In this particular community, many students even bring their visiting adult children and grandchildren.

Some yoga classes are geared toward people who are hypermobile, very fit, young, and driven. There is nothing wrong with this per se, but my focus is always making sure that what we do is accessible and beneficial to as many people as possible.

I believe that an “advanced” yoga practice (or any movement class) means that you are able to leave your ego behind and actually listen to what your body needs as you move through the poses.

I hope that you can explore mindful movement that benefits your whole body with me.

Be Well,

Eva