Yoga is known worldwide for its challenging poses and promising health benefits. If you’re interested in this relaxing form of exercise, certain yoga positions are especially healing.
While yoga is a universal hobby for anyone of any skill level, it can be intimidating to start. You might see poses done by people with their backs bent in half and their legs stretched out to their shoulders.
Here are some great yoga positions that are easy, simple, and full of health benefits for your body, both physically and mentally!
Squat Pose (Malasana)
Similar to the posture of a frog, this pose is simply a deep squat nearly reaching the ground. This pose takes balance to do, as well as thigh, hip, and core strength. This position is excellent for your lower back, stretching your groin and lower back while releasing tension in your hips and knees!
Cat and Cow Pose (Marjaiasana/Bitilasana)
This pose is a great cool-down stretch after a workout or cardio class! Start by being in a position on all fours on your mat, and slowly switch between arching and releasing your back. As you do this, take deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling as you move between the two back postures.
This pose interacts with the various tendons and vertebrates in your back, helping to release pressure and built-up tension, especially post-workout! Doing this pose often will improve your posture while strengthening your neck, back, and arms.
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
This is a very common yoga pose. It’s often used to stretch out athletes and dancers post-workout. You execute this pose by lifting up your tailbone while your hands and feet are firmly planted on the ground.
Straightening your arms and knees, arch your back to form a straight line from your hands to the top of your tailbone, making a triangle with your body! This pose helps stretch your entire body, building stronger arms, wrists, and hips, while relaxing your back at the same time.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
This is probably one of the easiest of yoga poses while still providing relief to your body’s muscles. How you do this pose is easy: Simply lay on your knees with your arms stretched forward. This position is another excellent cool-down stretch. It helps stretch your back while opening up your hip joints!
Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)
Start this pose by sitting on the ground with a straight back. Holding the bottoms of your feet together, you form a butterfly wing shape with your legs. This position is great for your hips and back while stimulating blood circulation!
Corpse Pose (Shavasana)
This pose looks exactly like how it sounds. To execute this pose, you do one thing and one thing only: Lay on the ground on your back! Believe it or not, the best way to cool down your body post-workout is to let your muscles rest and give time for them to release their tension.
The next time you think about trying yoga, be sure to try out these poses. Yoga may not leave you out of breath like a heavy-duty workout would. However, it will help to soothe your mind and body, which helps your health in more ways than one!
