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Every yoga student I’ve met has at least one pose that pisses him off–at least a little bit. If you’ve been reading my blog long you know that I hate—no, detest—maybe even, LOATHE–Parivrtta Trikonasa (Revolved Triangle) and its close relatives Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (Revolved Side Angle Pose) and Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (Revolved Half Moon Pose). Frankly, the only thing I hate more is the teacher who asks me to hold one of these poses for more than three breaths. (Of course, the hate subsides into sincere gratitude when the teacher lets me come out of the pose.)
Yesterday, I was in a yoga class that incorporated my least favorite poses. We held Revolved Triangle. Then, we held Revolved Half Moon. I cursed under my breath and thought, I’m never coming here again! But in the next set of poses, the teacher called out Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose). Finally! A pose I love! Then, it hit me. You see, it wasn’t so long ago that I hated Half Moon Pose with as much enthusiasm as I now hate Revolved Triangle. In fact, I remember thinking one of my teachers kept teaching it just to mock me—including it into every class just so he could see me fall over. (Jerk!) But with time, I got better at it. I didn’t fall down any more , and eventually I learned to love it.
Since then, I’ve been thinking about what makes us hate the poses we hate. Is it because they bring out our physical weaknesses, which irritates our egos? Could it be that they simply make us uncomfortable? When we learn to like a pose we once hated, will we always find another pose to dislike, or is that just me? Does anyone not hate at least one pose?
How has your most hated pose evolved during the time you’ve practiced?
Victoria Klein says
I'm sure I'll get some flack for this, but I loathe handstand & shoulderstand. Maybe all I need is more instruction & practice on how to do the pose, but no matter how I've done it, both poses still feel extremely unnatural.
SpoiledYogi says
Victoria,
I didn't like Shoulderstand for a while either. but I like it now! (Gosh, there are a lot of poses I've had aversions to!)
P.S. I JUST got your book and I can't wait to read it!
Rachael says
I used to have revolved triangle but now it is one of my favorites! Now I hate tripod headstand. I used to like it but lately the option never seems appealing to me. I'd much rather practice traditional sirasana.
Meredith LeBlanc says
Uktasana has always been my least favorite – maybe it's because I can't see the logic in pretending to sit in a chair when I can actually sit in a real chair. Or because my knees don't like it. Either way, I dread when the teacher calls it out, and I don't use it much in class even though it's an excellent strengthener. Sigh, since I'm focusing on first chakra this month I guess it's time to get over it.
Joslyn says
I can think of about half dozen poses that apply here! The greatest moment is when you realize (let's say while in pigeon) that you are actually… in pigeon! And in a meditative state rather than clenching your jaw, wincing and grunting quietly under your breath.
It's so easy to take it for granted when something challenging becomes easy… so it's nice to be reminded to be grateful. Thanks!
PS (oddly, I can also think of cases when the reverse is true, and a pose becomes more difficult! I guess going backward is sometimes part of the evolution 🙂
Anonymous says
I'm the same- used to hate half moon, now love it, but I have always hated revolved triangle and revolved half moon- always have, still do. I have very tight outer hamstrings. These poses go right into the tightest area of my body, and it feels extremely uncomfortable. But I know my body obviously needs it, so I breath through it and try to relax (and smile) as much as I can through it!
yogalab says
Erica –
I'm with you on the parivrtta standing poses – URF! I always try to remind myself, when I'm convinced my teacher has a personal vendetta against me, that holding and repeating these difficult poses is practice for life off the mat, too. If I can breathe and maintain a semblance of equanimity during pari. parsvakonasana, then maybe I can do the same when a sticky situation comes up later.
Thanks for the great post! -Stacey
Emma says
any pose where i forget to breath… upward boat is one of those. the evolution?… ummm… remembering to breathe? more?
amy : ) says
i used to really detest Uktasana but it bothers me less now.
i was just thinking about how my attitude towards different poses has changed over the years.
thanks for the post!
Nancy says
definitely Trikonasana.. but changing how I come into it (from both hands down and then opening up like a bow rather than the old lean over the counter way) has helped me feel the opening and the twist in it. but frankly i just find it hard to breathe while holding it. Don't even get me started on the revolved version
Tali says
I am in the exact same boat. I used to struggle in Ardha Chandrasana but now it's my favorite and I am currently working through my issues in the revolved poses.