r/yoga
“Wild thing” is that somewhat of a newer pose?
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The Question
I was taking yoga quite frequently in the late 90s to around 2010. Took a bit of a break and started going again regularly from around 2020, and I learned of the “wild thing” pose. Since this was now in Japan where I restarted my practice, I thought this was some Japanese pose as I never heard of it in the US. But now icing that I see it mentioned in posts here and elsewhere, wondering if it’s always been around and I just didn’t come across it. Anyone know? submitted by /u/kenblen…
— via r/yoga
Our Response
Not a Japanese pose.
Wild Thing showed up in the mid-2000s. Mostly through vinyasa flow classes. It's a modern invention — not traditional Ashtanga, not classical hatha.
You missed it because you left right when it was getting popular.
The pose is basically a flipped-over side plank. One hand down. Chest opens to the sky. Back leg sweeps through. It looks dramatic. Teachers love it for peak moments in flow sequences.
Here's the thing: if you're doing Ashtanga, you won't see it. It's not in any of the series. Never has been.
So if you're in a Mysore room, you're not missing anything. If you're taking led primary or intermediate, it won't come up.
Wild Thing lives in the vinyasa world. Different lineage. Different approach.
You can learn it if you want. It's not hard. But it's optional. Not part of the method.
That's it. Next question.
(1:30 — END)
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