I call Birkram style the yoga who shall not be named for a myriad of reasons, and the local studios all agree and have their own unique names for the classes that they have copied from this style. Which is totally legal, as the courts ruled a few years ago, the class could not be patented or have a copyright.

So, this will be a long one, but I thought I would list the 26+2 poses and then my current ability to do them. (Or mostly, lack thereof)

Standing Deep Breathing – Surprisingly, yes, I can stand in Mountain post and breath, both the cleansing breath and the yogi/victory/ocean breath.

Half Moon Pose – Another winner here. I can definitely do this one, and bonus, can get my breath to lead me through it as designed.

Hands To Feet Pose – And then the challenges begin. When I first started back in April, it was all I could do to drag a fingertip on the ground. Happy to report I can now tuck my fingers under the toes, nearly to my palm, but not quite.

Awkward Pose – Putting the Awkward in Awkward post since February 2020. At some point in 2020 I was able to get my butt down to my heels, but that has not been a thing in a while. Still, we do get lower every week.

Eagle Pose – Since I am still propping my self on the leg that should be wrapped, not there yet. But getting closer. And trying to do sleeping eagle when suggested. But I am not a one legged balance girl yet.

Standing Head To Knee Pose – Another pose that proves that one legged balance is not my jam. But this week, I did hug my knee to my chest and stand on the left leg, and almost the same on the right. Baby steps here. I was never able to do this in 2020 either.

Standing Bow Pose – Surprisingly, I can almost do this one. But need my favorite prop, the wall, to help me get my foot in my hand in the right direction. (Grabbing the inside of the foot.)

Balancing Stick – Another prop-assisted pose. For the one with the arms over head, I tend to do more of the alternate arm-leg reach. It’s working for me.

Wide legged forward fold – And a break! something where gravity does the work rather than one leg. Am I as low as I can go? No. When my arms are behind my back, can they raise until they hit the floor behind my head? Also no. Baby steps here.

Triangle Pose – Another pose that lets me sing the praises of gravity. Also of Warrior 2, which is how we get here.

Standing Separate Leg Head To Knee Pose – Some places call this hot pyramid. A pose by any other name would still require me to touch my head to my knee, and that is not a thing for me yet.

Tree Pose – Think Bob Ross, happy little trees. Then remember that you have to stand on one leg. Sway in the wind, and smile.

Toe Stand Pose – I have not even attempted.

Corpse Pose – And that brings us to mid-class savasana. And not a moment too soon.

We’ll come back tomorrow for the ground poses. I am hoping/planning to continue my “learning in public” and will update each week? Month? Quarter? On where I am with each pose.