The six most terrifying and tangle-many yoga poses

The fear factor can be a major issue in yoga poses.

It’s normal to be afraid of things like handstands, headstands, and arm balances. When you’re learning new upside-down postures, it’s normal to feel apprehensive. What about the shapes that are twisted, tangled, and bound? You can’t even tell if you’re on your back or your front…

These tangly-mangy holds will make you feel a little more fearless!

The Spider Pose

Many people find spiders to be creepy and eerie. This cobweb-like pose, which is a mix between Goddess Pose & a Forward Fold, can make you feel as if you embody that long-legged creature. Maybe that’s why it is so deliciously deep.

How to do it: Fold your legs forward and bend them dramatically. Take a firm grip on the opposite shin or foot. Then, stand on your toes high and grab your legs while you lift your tailbone, bend your knees, and lower your head.

The threaded needle for balancing the bound threaded needle

This challenging posture requires a lot of concentration and can be a little scary to try to lift your head while keeping your weight off your head. It’s so difficult to keep your balance!

How to do it: Thread the needle as usual, wrap your top arm around your back, and either extend the same leg or the opposite one back behind you. You can lift your foot off the mat by pressing into the toes. Then, bend the knee. Your wrapped arm should try to catch your raised foot. Kick up like crazy. You can protect your neck by stepping back if you feel the weight on your neck or head instead of your shoulder.

Tangled Cat

Maybe the name here is what’s scary? This posture reminds me of a kitten that is tangled in yarn after playing too much… That took away the fear! This Yin Yoga Hold is delicious! It opens up your intercostal muscle (the muscles that connect between your ribs) and lengthens the hamstrings after a few deep breaths.

How to do it: Do a Cat Pose. Then, circle the leg to the side and place the foot that is flexed off your mat. Use the same hand to reach for your extended leg or foot and the opposite hand to get for your back leg or foot. Lean back your butt and lower your head so that you can see your back foot. The deeper you stretch your lateral hip, side body, and hamstrings, the more you pull your arms.

Lifted Lizard

It is also known as the “Witch on a Broomstick Pose”! A pretty spooky title, but it can be a little challenging to balance in this pose. It is usually a variation of the old-fashioned Lizard Pose. A little creepy if you don’t like reptiles. But way less superstitious than a person making a broomstick flutter!

How to do it: Get into Lizard Pose and raise the back knee. Wrap your opposite arm around your lower back and tuck your arm under your bent leg. Try grabbing your buttocks and letting your arms float up. Then, clasp your hands behind your lower back. Start with your toes under and gripping the floor. Then, take it up a level by lifting your knee while leaving your top foot on the earth.

Double Bound Balancing Half Moon

The moon represents a dark, deep night. This pose reflects the depth of the moment when you’re not sure whether you’ll fall on your face because both arms are bound under your leg. Remember that the moon will help you to focus in the dark.

How to do it: Start in a side-angle pose with your legs fully bound. Fix your gaze on the corner at the top of your mat, and slide your strong back leg towards you. Find your balance and slowly lift your back leg, pressing your toes.

Swan Pose

We don’t usually aim to nose dive towards our mat – unless it is when we are practicing Swan Pose.

How to do it: Start by doing Warrior III, but with airplane arms. While keeping your hips level, dive down and lift your back leg to the sky while you keep the upper body at the same level. Stop as low as possible for five breaths.