If you’ve ever had a super-advanced yogi next to you in class or been on the yoga corner of TikTok, there’s a good chance you’ve seen someone pulling off moves you never even thought to attempt. Whether they’re balancing on their head, hands, or toes, or putting a leg behind their head, you can’t help but ogle a little at their strength, composure, and flexibility. It’s inspirational, and it gives a little insight into what years of practice can lead you to. But let’s face it: some poses are simply out of the question — whether because of your level of yoga practice or your natural anatomy. Many of us will never do advanced yoga poses, and that’s completely OK.
The good news? You don’t need to do advanced yoga poses to reap the plentiful mind-body benefits of a yoga practice. The most basic Vinyasa flows or gentle restorative poses are just as much a yoga practice as something that looks acrobatic or makes you sweat. Still, it can be fun to check out advanced yoga poses, whether for inspiration or just to see what other people can do. If you’re interested, keep reading — and get ready to be wowed when you see these amazing advanced yoga poses.
Note: If you’re thinking of trying any of these difficult yoga poses, consult a certified yoga instructor for help. They’re not something to mess around with!
Advanced Yoga Poses
- Handstand Scorpion
- King Pigeon Pose
- Iron Cross Headstand
- Chakra Bandhasana
- Peacock
Half
- Lotus Crow
- Sleeping Yogi
- Hummingbird
- Big Toe Bow
- Scorpion With a Broken Tail
- One-Legged Staff
- Dropback
- Standing Flying Crow
- Locust Scorpion
- Lifted Thunderbolt
- Headstand Bow
- Frog
- Headstand Lotus
- Pinching Shoulders Headstand
- Handstand Lotus
- Eight Crooked Limbs
- Sage Visvamitrasana
- King Pigeon Splits
—Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo