Given that our students often encounter images of the traditional Dancer pose on social media, there's a common misconception that the pose is entirely out of their reach. In many of the photos, a young person is reaching over their heads and holding their foot, sometimes even cradling their head in the sole of their foot! It’s true, that most of us cannot do this intense version, however there are many modified variations of Dancer Pose that are quite accessible and fun to practice. The benefits of Natarajasana, even for beginners practicing the modified variations, are huge!

Wide Legged Forward Bend is a staple pose that I frequently include in my classes. I always offer modifications because my classes tend to have students of all levels, including those over 50. As teachers we have to quickly evaluate students attending class and make a decision as to what variations of the pose to offer and who might need options. In today’s post, I’m first covering often-asked cueing questions from newer teachers, and then I’ll return to basics and review modifications, benefits, sequencing, and variations.