As 2012 being the year I started teaching yoga, I reflect on the many teachers that have impacted me and the development of my practice. I was extremely fortunate to have had Maya Margo Balog as my first yoga teacher.  One of the lasting words from he rwas that at the very least to take you 3 least favorite, most hated poses and do them everyday.  You do this because the poses you dislike are often the ones that your body needs the most. On the same note you always do your 3 favorite poses because they bring you joy. Every year I take a moment to reflect.

Last year I attempted a blog and the start of the blog included my 3 most loved and not loved poses. The links to those blogs are below.  I have kept tracked of my most loved and most "hated" poses since I started yoga. What always strikes me as interesting is how much the love and hate poses change from year to year. Sometimes the pose I despise becomes the pose that I love. So without further delay here are the most and least loved asana  at the start of 2013.

The Most Loved

Salamba Sirsasana (head Stand)
Um ..where did this come from? Prior to middle of last year this was not even close to being on the list as I never thought this pose would be close to being in my routine.  I couldn't do headstands as a kid why would I think I could do one as a 30 something?  I took an inversions clinic, since I had build the strength and with a little support, I turned upside down and became heels over head in love.  I am still working on this posture, still needing assistance, but that is what yoga is about. Practice not perfection.

Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog)
Last year may have been the year of the Dragon but for my Asana practice it was the year of the dog.  I love downward dog.  After a long run, I stretch out with a dog.   I feel upset, I do a dog and the world is better.

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle)
I remember when this pose would come into a class I would shutter and start to curse to myself. And this pose reclined..... yikes. The vritti's 9thoughtwaves) in my mind would be storming around, having  a vritti tantrum (yeah i made that up).  But I adore this position now, in all forms.

The Least Loved

Hanumanasana (Monkey Pose AKA Splits)

What my mind says when this pose comes up ...."You want me to do what with my body????? You are a crazy teacher". Do  I really need to say more?

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........ especially right now still recover from a spill down stairs while running on a cold winters day.

Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon)

My hips:  "WHAT, WHY what did we ever do to you. #$&*%$##)*(*)+)*

My Vritti " THIS SUCKS. Really sucks. And I will repeat this until you are done with the pose"

My Ego: "You can't do this, your hips are way too tight.  Why try?"

Me: "

According to the Yoga Sutras, Yoga is the control of the thought waves of the mind.