by Nina
In his first draft of his post for yesterday Featured Pose: Extended Side Angle Pose Baxter wrote “This is one of our favorite poses!” Haha, very funny, I wrote back. I’m taking that sentence out because this one is definitely on my list of least favorite standing poses. He replied, “I had no idea.”
Well, I’ve written before about how our body types and areas of flexibility are very different (I’m much more flexible in the hamstrings and he’s more flexible in external rotation of the hips), despite years of practice for the both of us, so the differences in our experiences of this pose might something to do with that. But I also wondered if it might have something to do with the difference in the shapes of the male and female pelvis, because my discomfort in this pose (and, trust me, I’ve tried all kinds of different alignment tips and tricks over the years so it’s not an issue of finding the right alignment) is in the hip joint area. Baxter thought this an intriguing possibility, and suggested that I do a poll.
So what do you say? Are you up for it? Would you be willing to respond in the comments or send me an email specifying your gender and listing your three favorite standing poses and three least favorite standing poses? Maybe we’ll see some interesting patterns. But even if we don’t, it’s always helpful for people to see the wide variety of responses people have to various yoga poses.
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My least favourite is low lunge, due to arthritic knees. I've learned ways to use props to help, but still…
My favourite pose is pigeon. I have very open hips but my psoas, glutes and hamstrings are tight so this pose is just the ticket!
Female.
Least favorite standing poses= revolved triangle/ revolved half moon, humble or bowing warrior
Favorite= dancer pose, goddess, warrior III.
Look forward to see if there are any trends with this.
My three least favourite standing poses: Triangle, Extended Side Angled and Reverse Warrior 2. My three favourites are: Warrior One, Forward Fold and Shivas Dance. My all time fave is Pigeon. I am a 57 year old female.
Female.
least favorite: twisting chair, revolved triangle, revolved half moon
favorite: extended side angle (sorry, Nina), triangle, high lunge twist
I'm with Katy — least favorite pose BY FAR is revolved triangle. I also don't like chaturanga (shoulder issues) or crow/handstand/pretty much any arm-only balance.
And my favorite pose is (regular) triangle! Also love pigeon and whatever that asana is called where you sit in easy pose and fold forward with forehead on the ground and wrist clasped behind the back. (Great back body stretch!)
Female:
Least favorite standing poses: 1) extended side angle pose (totally can't stand it and can't get the alignment right); 2) three legged down dog; and 3) warrior 2.
Most favorite standing poses: 1) revolved triangle; 2) warrior 1; and 3) close tie between dancer's pose and pyramid pose but I favor the latter.
Female: Least favorite…chaturanga (shoulder prob that came from doing the pose incorrectly in the early years) revolved half moon, twisted chair with namaste hands (opening the arms in twist feels better)
Most fav…any of the warriors, goddess, lunges high or low.
Female: favorite standing poses are warrior 2, warrior 3, tree pose
Least favorite standing poses: revolved triangle, revolved side angle. Also can't do pigeon without squirming the entire time.