So back in February, I wrote a post about my irritation with yoga selfies and how most of what you see on Instagram is unattainable for mere mortals. One of my friends had inspired the post because she had implored us yoga teachers to show the crappy-looking poses as well, to prove that we could "walk the walk" of our talk about how "there's no perfect pose" and "honor your body," etc.
So I'm back with more of my crappy-looking poses, yeah! Actually, for my body, I think they look just fine, but they won't be winning me any cool leggings in an Instagram yoga challenge.
First up, here I am doing the splits, hanumanasana.
I took dance for a few years when I was very little, but I've never done an actual, all-the-way-down split in my entire life. I joke with my students that it's a bucket-list pose for me, and I hope to get all the way down by the time I'm 70. Here's what I'm aiming for as a septuagenarian, tube-top and all. (No, Kino MacGregor is not 70 years old, I know, but I bet she'll still look like this when she is!)
And speaking of splits, in yoga, we do them standing up as well!
Let me just say that without the wall for help, my leg would probably be at least a foot lower. I actually really do like this pose as a transition, but preferably in a yoga studio with no mirrors so I don't have to see how pitifully low my leg is. Here's gumby lady to show y'all how it's done.
And last for today, I share with you lord of the dance pose, natarajasana.
I love dancer pose, especially because there are so many different expressions of it, and my balance is really good. But the full-on version where both hands are supposed to reach for your foot as it draws near your head...well, I've got miles to go. Here's someone who is rockin' out her full-on dancer.
Moral of the story: none of us is perfect. We call this a yoga practice for a reason. So let's keep on practicing and keep it real.