Is It Really A Yoga Pose? Try To Pass This Quiz!
- by Sosa Manuel
- – on
- in Lifestyle
Yoga is one of the oldest forms of exercise known to man, having been passed down over thousands of years. Even though it's changed a lot since the ancient times, yoga remains one of the healthiest and most beneficial things one can do with their body. Some fitness fanatics have altered yoga into a much more demanding and strength based exercise, but at its core yoga is a form of meditation. It's a way to completely relax the body, and it's incredible to think that after all these years, yoga is still delivering unquestionable results.
Yoga is something which can completely change a person's life. But we're sure that many of our readers are already aware of this. Some of our readers might even be advanced yoga experts. If that's the case, then this yoga quiz should pose no more of a challenge than a simple mountain pose... While there are hundreds if not thousands of different yoga poses, we're going to do our best to throw in some fake poses to catch our readers off guard. Take the quiz now if yoga poses are like second nature... And try to spot the fake ones! Now, get ready... inhale... and exhale...
Mountain Pose
One of the simplest yoga poses out there, people doing the mountain pose feel like they're pretty much just... standing there. But it's actually a really solid, basic yoga pose that is very helpful. Yoga practitioners only have to stand with their feet apart and arms by their sides. This is a common way to start a yoga routine, and it really helps in balance and concentration. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Hanging Berry Pose
The Hanging Berry Pose is another common yoga pose, and this one is slightly more complicated. It takes its name from the hanging berries found in the wilderness of India, where Yoga was first invented and popularized. The trick is to let the body hang down, and let your head and fists form the "berries" of the tree. This is a slightly more advanced pose, for sure. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Chair Pose
The chair pose is another basic pose that many yoga practitioners will know, and it's a lot more important than the inanimate object from which it gets its name. Even though the pose gets its name from a comfortable chair, the pose actually takes a lot more effort than just sitting down. Starting in the mountain pose, yoga practitioners "sit" into the chair pose, activating their muscles. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Downward Facing Dog Pose
Here's another common pose that most people will know, and this is perhaps one of the most common yoga poses that is referenced in pop culture. Like many yoga poses, this one gets its name from an animal, and we can see dogs doing this pose almost every single day. Dogs get into this pose when they want to play, or when they're stretching. It's the same for humans. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Warrior Pose
Warrior Pose is another well-known pose that most yoga fans know all too well, and it's definitely one of the most helpful for all kinds of different people. This one instructs us to stand with our feet wide apart, and lean forward with our hands outstretched. This pose is all about power, balance and feeling that stretch. The reason why this pose is called warrior is pretty obvious. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Puffer Fish Pose
You have to be a seriously high level Yogi to know the puffer fish pose. This one is considered one of the hardest yoga poses of all time, and few have ever mastered it. Even so, there are a few YouTube videos of people attempting it and succeeding. Study for about 7 years, and it might just be possible to pull off the Puffer Fish pose. It's exactly what it sounds like. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Downward Snake
Yoga poses are extremely numerous and varied, and only the true yoga masters know them all. But it really gets complicated when we consider the fact that there are numerous variations of each yoga pose. We all know that the snake is a yoga pose, but there is also the downward snake to consider. Just like the downward dog, this one is named after a real animal. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Triangle
Even though a pose named after a shape might seem like it's quite simple, the reality is that the triangle is a slightly challenging Yoga pose. This pose involves a lot of twisting, but that's exactly what is needed for a great stretch. This pose involves standing with the feet wide apart, and then bringing the body down to one side with the arms outstretched. It's a great pose. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Hexagon
The triangle pose isn't the only yoga pose named after a shape. There's also the hexagon pose, which is a fan favorite among the yoga crowd. Because the hexagon is a slightly more complex shape than the triangle, it only makes sense that the pose is also a little more complicated. This pose involved both feet stretched out wide, with the toes pointing outward and the arms stretched behind. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Tree
The tree pose is another famous yoga pose that has proven to be very helpful in helping people with all kinds of issues. Despite this pose having a pretty friendly and easy sounding name, the tree pose definitely takes some skill. It involves balancing on one leg, while reaching up into the sky with both arms. It's almost like the body is mimicking the way plants grow. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it actually fake?
Rock Pose
The rock pose is one of the simplest yoga poses, but like all yoga poses, it takes years and years to truly master it. Where does the rock pose get its name? It's not what we might expect. In fact, the pose gets its name from the legend that once a person is able to master this pose, they will be able to digest a rock. This pose involves a sitting position. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Bison Pose
Those who know about India know that cows are considered sacred by most people there, and cows are quite numerous in this land. But few people know that there are actually many Bison that roam the lands as well. It should come as no surprise that the Indian people equally revere the Bison, as it's essentially just a more furry cow. They even made a yoga pose named after the animal! But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Seed Pose
Seed pose is another key yoga pose that everyone should be able to master after a few years. Like many yoga poses out there, this one gets its name from a type of plant. We've seen the tree pose previously in this quiz, so it only makes sense that the seed pose is also one of the most important poses out there. This pose starts small, and grows upward. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Bridge Pose
Bridge technology has definitely increased since the days of ancient India, when the art of yoga was invented. But even so, bridges still existed back in those times, and that's where this yoga pose gets its name. This pose is quite difficult, and requires considerable flexibility and balance. That being said, there are harder poses out there. This pose involves turning one's body into the shape of a bridge. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Corpse Pose
This pose is actually pretty relaxing. Despite its somewhat creepy name, the pose can bring yoga practitioners into a deep state of meditation, and it's perfect for wrapping up the yoga session (or beginning it). It's very simple, just lie on your back with the body relaxed and palms facing up. It also helps when people close their eyes. After the pose is finished, the instructor usually says "Namaste." But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Plank Pose
We've heard a lot about people "planking" over the last few years, and thankfully it's not as big of a trend as it once was. But was this viral trend derived from a real yoga pose? Plank pose is in fact a legitimate yoga pose, and it's another one of the more simple ones to try. This pose also involves balance and strength, and it's a great pose. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Satchel Pose
The satchel pose is another yoga pose named after an inanimate object, and this one is slightly more nuanced. The pose involves deep breathing and meditation. The satchel pose gets its name from the feeling of emptying one's stressful thoughts while exhaling, just like emptying out the contents of a bag. It's a pretty intense stretch, and is usually saved for the end of the yoga session. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Incense Pose
Incense is something that commonly accompanies yoga sessions, and there's also a yoga pose named after this common household item. In the far east, almost everyone burns incense, so it only makes sense that such a common item got turned into a yoga pose. It's a pose which mimics the burning behavior of a stick of incense, slowly working the body down to the floor, while activating the balls of the feet. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Half Moon Pose
Half moon pose is another unique yoga pose which more practitioners will know quite well. This pose is considered an intermediate pose, as it's quite hard. It starts off in the triangle pose, before lifting off with one foot and balancing using the hip muscles and the core. This activates the the legs and outer hips, and it's also supposed to aid in concentration and overall flexibility. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Dolphin Pose
Dolphin pose is an interesting yoga pose that most people will be familiar with. This is yet another pose which is named after an animal, and the dolphin is a creature that humans have had a relationship with for centuries. Many legends and stories revolve around dolphins, so it makes sense that a pose is named after them. This pose turns the body into a shape which mimics a dolphin jumping out of the sea. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Upward Facing Pig Pose
Here's another yoga pose which was actually named after an animal. Pigs are common farm animals all over the world, and this includes the ancient lands of India, where Yoga was first invented and popularized. So it makes total sense that one of the most common yoga poses in existence was named after a pig. This pose focuses on core strength and flexibility of the lower calf muscles. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Bow Pose
Like pretty much all ancient lands, India was a place which experienced war and conflict from time to time. And just like armies across the world during that era, one of the most common weapons in use was the bow and arrow. There are quite a few yoga poses that take cues from war and combat, and the bow pose is one example. It's a slightly more intermediate pose. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Camel
Here's another yoga pose which is named after an animal, and we all know that the camel was probably a common sight in ancient nations where yoga was a common practice. This pose involves a lot of flexibility, and it honors the camel's beautiful form. This is a backbend that stretches the entire back, and it's a great pose for people who have back issues, or just want to improve flexibility. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Crow Pose
Another common pose that most yoga practitioners will be aware of is the crow pose. This is named after the crow, a common bird which exists all over the world. This humble beast is actually extremely intelligent, and is capable of mimicking humans and recognizing different faces. The pose actually resembles the perked shape of a crow while it's on the ground. This pose requires a lot of strength. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Dough Pose
Dough is something that almost all ancient cultures know how to make, and it's something which many people relied on to make bread and other foods in order to survive. Such a common food source was made into one of the most common and basic yoga poses, and this is one that most practitioners will no doubt recognize. This pose encourages users to "sink" into the floor, just like a ball of dough. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Sheep Pose
Another common animal all around the world for agricultural purposes was the sheep. This was a common animal in India as well as Europe, and one of the most iconic yoga poses was named after this beautiful animal. The yoga pose involves lying on the stomach, and pulling the knees forward to the sides, before rising up through the elbows. It's a slightly more tricky pose to pull off. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Rope Pose
Those who have spent years engaging in the art of yoga know that yoga is all about finding that balance between tension and flexibility. The aim is to achieve total relaxation in the muscles, but also strength when needed. This philosophy is best summed up by a simple length of rope, and it should come as no surprise that one of yoga's most basic poses gets its name from rope. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Wheel Pose
Wheel pose is another classic yoga pose that has been one of the most iconic poses for countless centuries. In many ways this pose sums up the philosophy behind yoga as a whole - that being the wheel of life. It's essentially a much more challenging version of the aforementioned "bridge" pose, and it requires much more strength and flexibility. It's one of the best poses, however. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Mill Churning Pose
Some yoga poses have some seriously random names. But rest assured, they all have a very meaningful purpose, and do wonders for the body. A great example of a pose with a strange name is the Mill Churning Pose. This pose gets its name from the motion required to churn butter or curds, as it was done manually in the ancient days of India (and still to this day). But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Post Pose
Like the mountain pose and the corpse pose, this pose is definitely one of the most simple in the yoga handbook. The pose essentially has practitioners reaching for the sky while keeping their body as straight as possible. By focusing entirely on keeping the body straight, yoga practitioners are able to completely clear their mind. This state of meditation is one of the most fulfilling parts of yoga. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Boat Pose
Here's another pose that most yoga masters will no doubt recognize. The ancient Indian people were master seafarers, and like other advanced civilizations of the ancient times, they were no strangers to exploring the seas. It should come as no surprise then, that one of the most popular and iconic yoga poses is called the "boat" pose. It's a wonderful pose that is great for the body. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Lotus Pose
The lotus is one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, and it's also a symbol of the far east. The flower has long been revered and depicted in legends and ancient art. It's also one of the most iconic poses in yoga's playbook, and it's often seen as the most symbolic pose. It's the typical, cross-legged pose that we see in ancient carvings of famous yogis. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Sword Pose
The sword pose is yet another example of a yoga pose that takes cues from combat and war. The sword is commonly known as a weapon reserved only for nobility, and it's this noble and royal sensibility that the yoga pose depicts so well. Some say that it's a variation of the warrior pose, while others claim that the sword pose is definitely its own separate pose. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Seagull Pose
Seagulls are a common site on the coastal, beach regions of pretty much every country, and they're one of the most common birds around. Even though the bird is not commonly associated with royalty or nobility, the bird is clearly a beautiful creature which is likable and marvelous in its own special way. The bird is common on the shores of India, and as such it's one of the most common yoga poses. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Cobra Pose
Cobras are also common in India, and we've all seen the videos and images of snake charmers who play flutes to transfix cobras. They are definitely a lot more dangerous than many of the other animals we've seen in this quiz, but it's also one of the most beautiful. This animal forms the basis for one of the most common yoga poses in history. Everyone knows this one. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Fierce Pose
Most of the yoga poses we've looked at in this quiz so far have been based around objects or animals. Very few have been based around emotions or behaviors, but the fierce pose is one exception. This pose is actually also known as another pose we've already mentioned in this quiz, so it will take a real yoga expert to recognize that this is actually an alternate title. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Child's Pose
Child's Pose is another very common pose in the world of yoga, and even those who have taken a very basic yoga course know what this pose is, and how it works. Basically, the pose is similar in shape to a child crawling on the floor, and it's a very relaxing pose. In fact, this pose is usually something utilized when resting in between very challenging yoga poses. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Crown Pose
Those who know all about yoga know that one of the key systems which yoga revolves around is the system of chakras. This system involves several energy vortices that are said to exist in the human being, and one of those is the crown chakra. It only makes sense that the word crown is also something given for a yoga pose, and it's one of the most interesting poses out there. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Lord Of The Dance Pose
Lord of the Dance pose is definitely one of the more elaborate names for a yoga pose, and this one is pretty difficult. It involves not only twisting the body, but also a very specific movement of the hand, which mimics dancers known in the traditional Indian world - which continue to exist even to this day. It's a very long name for a yoga pose, that's for sure. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Cloak Pose
Cloak Pose is another yoga pose which takes its name from an inanimate object. But unlike things such as rocks or bows, this yoga pose gets its name from a piece of clothing. The cloak was a common piece of attire worn in ancient times, and this pose mimics the flowing, draping shape of the cloak. It's a very loose pose, and it's great for relaxing the body. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Eagle Pose
People who have been doing yoga for a long time will undoubtedly be aware of the fact that Eagle Pose is a very useful and beneficial pose for the human body. It's based on an animal that seems to be a symbol of nobility and grace in almost every single country, and this is definitely the case with yoga as well. It's a pose that demands a lot of twisting. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Goddess Pose
Most people are aware that yoga is so old that it predates most religions. In many ways, we're not even sure what civilization really invented yoga, as it just seems to have been passed down over the many centuries from some unknowable, distant source. Yoga does include a pose called goddess pose, and it's one that seems to draw upon the power and grace of the feminine identity. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Demon Pose
Where there are gods and goddesses, there are also evil beings. This is true in yoga as well, as there is also something called the demon pose. Known as one of the hardest poses to pull off in the entire playbook, the demon pose is not for beginners. Legend says that this pose was actually invented by a demon many centuries ago. It's actually very good for concentration. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Staff Pose
The staff pose is another common yoga pose known by many experts and beginners alike, and it's a very useful pose to center the body and focus before moving on to more difficult poses. The staff in this context refers to the long stick that is commonly used in Asian martial arts. We've seen it before in countless movies and shows, but in yoga, the staff pose has nothing to do with combat. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Pigeon Pose
The pigeon pose is a fan favorite for many experienced yoga practitioners out there today, and this one is a great stretch for beginners and experts alike. It's a perfect stretch to really get those leg muscles limber and relaxed, and many athletes use it to prepare for their activities. Of course, the pigeon pose takes it's name from the common yet beautiful bird we see in our cities. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Ant Pose
We can learn a lot from looking at the world's many different types of insects. Some types of martial arts are named after insects, and they are quite clever beings in many ways. The ants live as one hive mind, and they seem to be in perfect harmony. That's the philosophy behind the ant pose, a well-known yoga pose that is great for achieving inner harmony and peace. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Sphinx Pose
It's hard to ascertain how old yoga really is, but a lot of evidence points to an extremely early date. Yoga might even come from a lost civilization that we have lost all record of. There are numerous theories surrounding it, and it's something of a mystery. Another mystery surrounds one of Egypt's most famous structures - the Sphinx. Funnily enough, there is actually a yoga pose called the Sphinx. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Ghost Pose
We've talked about a few "spooky" yoga poses, including the demon pose and the corpse pose, but perhaps the spookiest of them all is the ghost pose. This comes from the ancient belief in the supernatural, and it's only right that one of the many yoga poses is named after a ghost. The whole philosophy behind this yoga pose is to exit this world, and temporarily teleport your body to the demon realm. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Butterfly Pose
On a lighter note, let's now examine everyone's favorite yoga pose - the butterfly. One of the most beautiful insects in the world, this pose is also one of the most satisfying in all of yoga. It makes for a great stretch, and it's a great way to stretch out the legs from a seated position. The great thing about this pose is that beginners or experts can enjoy it. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?
Moth Pose
Moth pose is another yoga pose that is based off an insect, and it's easy to see that this is something of a theme with yoga poses. Living things in general make great things to base yoga poses on, and the world in general can teach us a lot about how to live. The moth pose is a slightly more difficult variant on the butterfly pose, and it's not easy. But is this actually a real yoga pose? Or is it totally fake?