At first glance, this AcroYoga washing machine looks very similar to the classic Catherine’s Wheel. However, this variation follows a completely different pathway, introducing new AcroYoga transitions and a unique sequence of poses.
Instead of balancing the Shoulder Stand on the base’s hands, this variation performs it on the base’s feet, adding a new balance challenge. The familiar Bird is gone as well, replaced by an entirely different pathway that gives the washing machine its own unique character.
If you enjoy comparing variations and understanding how different transitions shape a sequence, be sure to explore the pose breakdown and the individual transitions. They reveal just how creatively this washing machine reimagines the classic Catherine’s Wheel.
The Original Catherine's Wheel
Before exploring the Maha Catherine’s Wheel, it’s worth taking a look at the original Catherine’s Wheel. The Maha variation takes inspiration from this classic washing machine, but follows its own pathway with different poses and transitions.
Catherine’s Wheel
It requires flexibility on the part of the base, it is a technical but nice and well-known sequence. Washing machine, …
Maha Catherine's Wheel
From reverse star to table, from table to throne with pop, from throne to reverse low foot2hand, from reverse low foot2hand to reverse star.
From reverse star to table with scissors legs
Used Poses
Reverse Star
This is also a shoulderstand on feet pose, but here the flyer is positioned reversed on the base’s foot, facing backward. For the flyer to …
Table pose
The Table is a Transitional pose, not taken from the ground, but used to transition between two other poses. Check out the referenced elements! The …
Classic throne
In the classic throne pose, the flyer sits on the foot of the base, the upper body is straight, the thighs are horizontal, and the …
Reverse Low Foot-2-hand
Reverse Low Foot-2-hand: The base’s elbows are on the ground, close to their body, with their forearms vertical. The flyer stands in the base’s palms …
Used Transitions
From Reverse Star to Table pose
This AcroYoga transition moves from Reverse Star to Table Pose. The flyer slowly lowers her legs backward while maintaining active arm engagement and strong body …
From Table Pose to Throne – Step and Pop
There are two ways to transition from Table to Throne: with a step or with a pop.It’s best to first learn the beginner-friendly step …
From Throne to Reverse Low Foot2hand
The easiest way to enter this pose is from throne. The base holds the flyer’s feet and brings their elbows down to the ground, close …
From Reverse Low Foot2Hand to Reverse Star
First, the base brings the legs forward. The flyer leans forward, takes hold of the base’s ankles, and brings the shoulders into contact with the …
Variations & Alternative Pathways
Throne → High Foot-to-Hand → Reverse Star
From Throne, the flyer pops into High Foot-to-Hand instead of Low Foot-to-Hand.
Alternative Pathway: Throne → Reverse Star
In this variation, the pathway from Throne to Reverse Star is modified. Instead of following the sequence used in the main Maha Catherine’s Wheel, the flyer passes through High Foot-to-Hand:
Throne → High Foot-to-Hand → Reverse Star
The rest of the washing machine follows the main sequence.
From Throne to Reverse High Foot-to-Hand
There are two common ways to transition from Throne to High Foot-to-Hand. In the first variation, the flyer rises using her own strength, without any …
From Reverse High Foot-to-Hand to Reverse Star
This AcroYoga transition is very similar to the version starting from Low Foot-to-Hand. The main difference is the starting position: here, the flyer begins in …
Table pose → High Foot-to-Hand → Reverse Star
From table to reverse high foot2hand with pop, from reverse high foot2hand to reverse star
Alternative Pathway: Table pose → Reverse Star
In this variation, Throne is skipped entirely. Instead, the flyer pops directly from Table Pose into High Foot-to-Hand, creating a shorter and more dynamic pathway.
The rest of the Maha Catherine’s Wheel follows the main sequence.
From Table pose to Reverse High Foot2Hand POP
The base gives the flyer a gentle boost with his legs, while the flyer rises into a High Foot-to-Hand on the base’s extended arms. This …
From Reverse High Foot-to-Hand to Reverse Star
This AcroYoga transition is very similar to the version starting from Low Foot-to-Hand. The main difference is the starting position: here, the flyer begins in …
Throne → Bird → Reverse Star
Bird, reverse star, table pose, throne, bird
Alternative Pathway: Throne → Reverse Star
This Maha Catherine’s Wheel variation brings the sequence a little closer to the original Catherine’s Wheel by bringing Bird back into the flow.
In this alternative pathway, Foot-to-Hand is skipped entirely. Instead, the flyer moves from Throne through Bird and then returns to Reverse Star
It’s an interesting variation that blends elements of the classic Catherine’s Wheel with the structure of the Maha version.
From Throne to Bird (Step and Pop)
This transition can be tried with a step for beginners, or with a pop for the more experienced and adventurous. We’re showing you the options …
From Bird to Reverse Star
This is a commonly used AcroYoga transition, taking the flyer from a horizontal position into a vertical, upside-down position. Although the movement may look smooth …
Reverse Low Foot to Hand → Bird → Reverse Star
Bird, reverse star, table pose, throne, foot to hand, bird
Alternative Pathway: Reverse Low Foot to Hand → Reverse Star
In this variation, the flyer doesn’t move directly from Foot-to-Hand into Reverse Star. Instead, she transitions into Bird first and continues from there into Reverse Star, creating a slightly easier pathway.
From Reverse Low Foot-2-hand to Bird
This is a basic transition between two fundamental poses. It’s a simple movement, yet it’s worth paying attention to the small details to ensure a …
From Bird to Reverse Star
This is a commonly used AcroYoga transition, taking the flyer from a horizontal position into a vertical, upside-down position. Although the movement may look smooth …
Reverse Star Shin to Hand
Bird, Reverse Star, Shin to Hand, Bird
Alternative Pathway: Reverse Star → Shin to Hand → Bird
In this Maha Catherine’s Wheel variation, the flyer brings her shins into the base’s hands instead of her feet as she comes down from Reverse Star. This replaces the usual Foot-to-Hand with a Shin-to-Hand position, creating an alternative pathway from Reverse Star through Shin-to-Hand and into Bird.
Catherine's Wheel variatons
The Bowcycle Washing Machine
This is another beautiful Catherine’s Wheel variation, following the same direction and overall pathway as the original. What makes it …
Foot-to-Foot Catherine’s Wheel
A highly advanced Catherine’s Wheel variation, replacing Reverse Back Bird and Foot-to-Hand with Foot-to-Foot. A true challenge for experienced AcroYoga …
Reverse Back Catherine’s Wheel
Alongside the original Catherine’s Wheel, we’ve already explored two different ways to change the sequence. In the Backward Catherine’s Wheel, …
Reverse Catherine’s Wheel
This Catherine’s Wheel variation follows the same direction of rotation as the original washing machine, but with one important difference: …
Catherine’s Wheel – Advanced & Extreme Variations
The classic Catherine’s Wheel is one of those AcroYoga washing machines that seems to invite endless creativity. Beyond the original …
Maha Cahterine’s Wheel
At first glance, this AcroYoga washing machine looks very similar to the classic Catherine’s Wheel. However, this variation follows a …
Needle Catherine’s Wheel
At first glance, Needle Catherine’s Wheel looks almost identical to the classic version. The sequence, transitions, and overall flow remain …
Catherine’s Wheel Backwards
The classic Catherine’s Wheel, reimagined in reverse. The same poses, the same transitions—just the opposite direction. It’s a great way …
Catherine’s Wheel
It requires flexibility on the part of the base, it is a technical but nice and well-known sequence. Washing machine, …













