I’ve been thinking about the most important yoga postures recently.  I love lists, so that’s part of it.   What would my list be?    Also, I recently read on yogajounal.com, Dharma Mittra’s list of the 8 most important postures.

 

He writes:

“Most important, there are eight basic poses I recommend that will give you everything you need for good physical health: Sirsasana, Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend), Ardha Matsyandrasana (Half Lord of the Fish Pose), Maha Mudra (One Leg Back Stretch), and Siddhasana (Adept’s Pose). Practicing these postures daily will help bring self-control and radiant health and will destroy the suffering and ravages of old age.”

I always love this kind of language in yoga – “destroy” the toxins in the body, wipe out the “ravages” of old age, etc.   It’s dramatic, and I don’t usually write or think in such dramatic terms.   But I also think the effects of yoga can be dramatic, so I appreciate the force and the passion in the language.  Also, Dharma Mittra is an amazing, compassionate yogi, so I take what he says seriously! 

Interestingly, those 8 postures are not my 8!  In fact, I don’t really even practice some of the postures (Maha Mudra, classic Matsyasana).   It’s making me wonder what an experiment of practicing these eight for a week or two might feel like.  Would I notice the “self-control and radiant health?”   Seems worth a try!

I took a stab at making my own list of 8 most important postures.  I really came up more with groups of postures, rather than specific poses.  Is that cheating?   I don’t know J

8 Most Important (Groups of) Postures    

1.     Sun salutes – some kind of flowing sequence, for any age

2.     Standing postures – I’d choose Warriors and Triangle

3.     Balances – I’d choose Eagle, and any arm balance (Titibhasana is my current favorite – google it!)

4.     Inversions – I’d choose Legs up the Wall (Viparita Dandasana), Handstand, and Shoulderstand

5.     Backbends – I’d choose something belly down, like Bow; and Wheel

6.     Twists – I’d choose Easy Noose pose, and Half Lord of the Fishes, but lying down twists are good too

7.     Forward Bends – Baddha konasana is my favorite

8.     Savasana – my most important, I’m on a mission to have everyone practice Savasana!

I didn’t put it in here but I also try to consciously think of opening the hips and shoulders regularly (you know this if you practice with me!).   So I’d add pigeon and cow to my list if I could expand it.  I’m also thinking some kind of core strengthening is important regularly, although I don’t have a regular posture I do.   In general, a well-rounded yoga practice probably gives you a lot of core strength (especially entering into inversions and arm balances). 

 

It’s been fun to construct this list, because it’s making me think of the Odyssey, which is coming up in January.  I’m writing the home practice sequences now, and maybe I’ll have a home practice sequence that has a little bit of each of the above.   I think that could be interesting!

 

Speaking of the Odyssey, if you don’t know about it, read about the home practice course here.  I started the Odyssey a year ago, and it’s been wonderful!  Over 100 students have participated.  FYI, there’s an early bird discount for signing up by Dec. 15 ($30 until Dec. 15, $40 after). 

 

Let’s hear your favorite postures – ones that would make your top 10 (or 8, as the case may be).