What is Your Favorite Asana?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi All,

So I was thinking about what my favorite asana is and I have to say it is a toss up between Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward dog) and Virabhadrasana III (Warrior 3). I like Adho Mukha Svanasana because I feel the release in my neck, back and legs easily and breathing into the pose is very easy for me to do. I like Warrior 3 because I use that one for balance and I am able to engage my back, abs and even my arms to get a good stretch. I always go back to down dog when I get winded only because I do not need to worry about that pose keeping my heart rate up.

So what are other people’s favorite poses? I think for a cool learning experience for everyone try and put the sanskrit name as well as the English translation. I know I am trying to learn the sanskrit and it is a bit more difficult than I would like.:wink:

#2

I enjoy siddhaasana. My body becomes totally balanced, my spine is straight, and I have a lot of freedom in the upper body. I feel completely calm here. I guess in English I would called it achievement pose?

#3

Back bends and more back bends…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1gcFHHAFVE and hand balances and planks for strength work and balance…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZEJSRNPVXs:D

#4

My favorite is Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose). I like to release and let my forehead touch the floor. It really is very relaxing for me.

#5

love and always loved pashimotanassana…

#6

Yoginidrasana (yogi’s sleeping pose). I love it because it stretches all the hard to get to places all up my back. A few minutes in this pose is the equivalent to a back massage for me. I also love the process of getting into this pose. Slowing my breath, tuning into how my hamstrings are feeling, how my sacrum is feeling. Sometimes my body doesn’t want to - so I turn back. It’s almost like climbing mountains. You get set to go, and when the weather is good, you go and have a great time. When the weather isn’t great, you shrug your shoulders and say, that’s life in the mountains - I’ll try it tomorrow. This pose is a big reminder to respect the body.

#7

For sheer pleasure, gupta padmasana is the one for me so far.

#8

I love Kapalbhati pranayama… Deep breathing gives me energy for whole day and improves blood circulation as well as it helps to get good digestion.

#9

Mountain pose. I am still far from mastering it … probably because I’d need the support of many other asana’s, which I don’ perform.

Most hated asana ? Adho Mukha Svanasana. I am stiff. :slight_smile:

#10

[QUOTE=Hubert;64361]Mountain pose. I am still far from mastering it … probably because I’d need the support of many other asana’s, which I don’ perform.

Most hated asana ? Adho Mukha Svanasana. I am stiff. :)[/QUOTE]

Hubert,

I think you might be one of the first people to say they do not like Adho Mukha Svanasana! I love that asana and use it to get re centered instead of child’s pose. I love mountain pose too as it is a great way to start and or end your practice session. Thank you for sharing!

#11

Recently its parivritta Janu sirsasana. It gets to my major energy blockage and does wonders.

#12

Any type of backbend - such a great feeling after spending time hunched at the computer!

#13

Yes I love backbends…

Trikonasana is one of my faves. Something about that posture makes me feel ALIVE!

#14

mostly downward dog and bridge but after trying Camel today I think I am in love with that pose.

#15

[QUOTE=Hubert;64361]Most hated asana ? Adho Mukha Svanasana. I am stiff. :)[/QUOTE]

So, I’m not alone then :slight_smile:

Actaully, I don’t hate it anymore. Still can’t do it very well but now the stretch feels better than it used to.

#16

I’m going to go with the child’s bow pose from partner yoga.
Partner A gets into child’s pose for an intense forward bend while Partner B lays upon them back to back and expresses a bow like pose for an intense heart-opening backbend. For both partner’s this is a beautiful moment of contact and comfort.

#17

[QUOTE=gossamyrrh;65026]mostly downward dog and bridge but after trying Camel today I think I am in love with that pose.[/QUOTE]

I am starting to really enjoy Camel Pose too!

#18

siddhaasana is my favourite. it really so cool. lol

#19

I am doing my favorite backbend here…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IECCl-JAEWM …most favorite backbend is at about 4min 15sec…

#20

I’m with a.mi; One legged king pigeon because my lateral hip rotators often need a good stretching. That pose alone has almost completely freed me from the sciatic pain I used to experience. Other than that, I enjoy a simple standing forward fold. My whole posterior (calves, hamstrings, back) are chronically tight. It just feels so damn good :slight_smile: