27/09/2025
Susan Saturday Story: Balance & the Pistol Pose
This week in yoga we focused on balance-and oh the collective groans when I announced it 😂. But seriously… when was the last time you actually stood on one leg (outside of my class)? Balance feels hard because it is hard, but practicing it regularly is where the magic happens.
And then I really pushed you and unveiled Pistol Pose (also known as single-leg Chair Pose or Eka Pada Padangusthasana Squat). I heard plenty of “I could never…” at first ….but guess what? So many of you did it, and it was AMAZING to see!
Now, you’ll see in my video that on one leg I can drop into the pose but on the other… not so much. That’s my dodgy knee-it needs replacing. It used to make me really upset that there were some things I could no longer do. But at some point I decided to change the narrative. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t do, I focused on what I could. I worked with my knee, not against it. Honestly, I think it’s made me a better teacher.
Some people might think Pistol Pose isn’t yoga, but it actually is.
Google even agrees:
“Yes, the pistol squat is a yoga pose, an advanced one that can also be performed as a bodyweight exercise. It’s often called Single-Leg Chair Pose or Eka Pada Padangusthasana Squat. It requires significant strength, balance, and mobility in the legs, hips and ankles, similar to other strength-based yoga postures.” So if Google says it, it must be right….right😉
Benefits of Pistol Pose:
– Strengthens quads, glutes, calves, ankles, and core
– Improves hip mobility and ankle flexibility
– Builds balance, focus and proprioception
– Helps develop even strength from side to side
We used blocks for support and even a bit of hand holding to guide people down. Some tried without the block and a few found it easier, but for most it was a huge help. And yes, nearly everyone noticed one side felt different from the other (that’s normal!).
The takeaway? Balancing is difficult because it’s difficult 🤷♀️-but practicing it works. Even if you don’t get the full pose, every time you practice you’re strengthening your body, improving your focus, and retraining your balance.
So whether it’s a Pistol Pose or just standing on one leg while brushing your teeth, give your balance some love. You might be surprised at what your body can do.
Check Donna out at the end of the Video.
This Saturday: celebrate what your body can do, not what it can’t.
Progress isn’t about perfection-it’s about showing up.
Susan 🖤
Yoga|Dunfemline
📍 11 Nethertown Broad St, Dunfermline, KY12 7DS
