Yoga has always been a controversial practice but it recently ballooned into a hot conversation on social media. What is the ideal way to practice Yoga? Should you be naked or fully dressed? I think you should yoga however you want to yoga. The most important thing is to know how to get started with it and poses you can try out.
That is why I have curated 5 easy and simple yoga poses that anyone can do. Check them out:
- Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottasana): The aim of this pose is to have your back and legs completely straight instead of arching or hunching to reach your feet or knees. Your hamstring, glutes and lower back will be benefit from this pose. And if you can’t reach your feet or your hands can only reach your knees, that’s fine too. As long as your back and legs are straight, your head is up, you’re facing straight ahead and your chest in forward. Remember to let your hips be the hinge.
- Side Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana): Any of yoga’s many spinal twist poses are good if you typically have back problems, but this is especially good because its helps you open up and stretch your hips at the same time. Always make you start to twist from your lower spine upward and make sure both your buttocks are on the ground.
- Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): This one is a very common pose and it is great for shoulder and back pain. It also helps make your upper back less susceptible to tension. Make sure you have your hands apart for about your shoulder’s width and your feet for about your hips width. Then gradually, in small movements, move one feet and hand closer to each other until you have an upside down “V” shape. Finally tuck your head in as much as you can and hold the pose. You can also add your own spin and variation to this pose. The upside down “V” shape is the most important thing.
- Cobra/Updog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana): If you carry backpacks a lot or have bigger breasts that sometimes make you bend forward, this pose is what you need in your life. Lie flat facing downward, bend your elbows such that your palms are flat to the floor on the side of your chest then raise your body up while keeping your hips as low and stationary as possible.
- Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana): This is great for your hips and torso as well as stability and focus. Hands upward and leaning backward, extend your torso backward with one of your legs stretched behind you and the other at a right angle in front of you. Make sure the knee in front of you doesn’t extend forward more than your foot. Easy peasy, eh?
The benefits and origins of yoga may have a lot of people’s panties in a bunch but what we care about it how you can benefit from it. Yoga has been proven to help with body pain, focus, muscle health and other health benefits. Now, you can get some of that healthy stuff for yourself. You’re welcome.
