I normally focus on sharing yoga poses that are achievable by everyone, but this week I am feeling a little wild. Yoga is not only always about feeling comfortable all the time. It shows us our limits and teaches us to try new things.

If you choose to try some of the poses below make sure you warm up properly. These are advanced yoga poses and are best practiced together with a Yoga Teacher. And remember, you don’t have to get into the pose the first time or ever. Maybe you can lift your feet up in Crow Pose for only a milli-second or you master the first step of Elephant’s Trunk Pose, that is great! Listen to your body and be patient with yourself.

 

Click here to download a full month of my favorite free online yoga videos and start your own at home yoga practice (all videos are free and between 5 and 20 minutes).

 

Wild Thing – Camatkarasana

Wild Thing Pose provides a stretch to your chest, shoulders, and front legs and strengthens them accordingly. This pose is very effective in toning your arms and upper back and can combat fatigue and mild depression.

Start with the Downward-Facing Dog Pose and bring your weight into your right hand. Now, come onto the Side Plank Pose. Inhale and lift your hips gently, keeping your right hand strong. While you exhale, set your left foot back, placing your toes on the floor with the knee partially bent. Curl back your upper back and extend your left arm. Keep on breathing and opening your chest.

 

Crow Pose – Bakasana

Crow Pose strengthens the arms, wrists, and the abs. It is great for practicing balance and concentration.

From Mountain Pose squat down with your feet hip-width apart. Place your hands on the mat in front of you, about shoulder-width apart. Try to get your knees as high up on the backs of your arms as possible. Bend your elbows and begin to tip forward to the point where your feet left off the mat. It is a little scary but try to look a few inches forward. Try to play with the balance and lift one foot up and then the other. It is key to engage your core. When you found your balance, slowly start to straighten the arms.

 

Split (Monkey) Pose – Hanumanasana

Split pose stretches the thighs, hamstrings, and groins while stimulating the abdominal organs and strengthening the pelvic floor. Split pose teaches us devotion, kindness, and selflessness.

Kneel down on a slippery floor or non-sticky mat and step your right foot forward. Bring your hands on two blocks next to your hip and slide your left knee back. Straighten your right knee and flex the right toes. Let your right leg slide forward and your left leg slide backward. Allow your pelvis to sink closer to the floor or on a bolster.

 

Elephant’s Trunk Pose – Eka Hasta Bhujasana

Elephant’s Trunk Pose strengthens the arms and shoulders, opens the hips and stabilizes the pelvis. It also improves balance and coordination.

From Staff Pose, bring your right knee into your chest and place the right foot on the mat. Thread your right arm around the right shin and place your right hand on the ground – you might have to tiptoe your right foot a little to the right. Your left hand comes on the ground next to your left hip. Hug your right leg into your arm and your arm into your leg while keeping the knee bend. Press into your hands and first lift your hips up. Then lift your legs up and point both feet.

 

Compass Pose – Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana

Compass Pose stretches the hip, hamstring, and shoulders. It strengthens and stabilizes the spine and the side body and can improve overall posture.

From a comfortable cross-legged seat, hug your right knee into your chest. With your left hand, bring your right arm underneath your right knee and place the right fingertips on the floor outside the right hip. Lengthen your spine and bring your right knee up as high as you can with your left hand. Your right knee should be behind your right shoulder. Now bring your left hand to the outside of the right foot and slowly start to extend your right leg.

 

Heron Pose – Krounchasana

Heron Pose stretches the hamstring, calf, and quads and improves flexibility in the lower body. It also stimulates the abdominal organs and the heart.

From Staff Pose fold your left leg back under the hip (Half Hero) or bend your left knee into a one-legged Easy Pose. Bend your right knee and bring the right foot close to your right sitting bone. Grab your right foot with both hands and lift it off the floor. Lean your torso back a little bit and roll the shoulders back to open the chest. Slowly straighten the right leg as much as you can while keeping your spine long.

 

Click here to download a full month of my favorite free online yoga videos and start your own at home yoga practice (all videos are free and between 5 and 20 minutes).