Lie down on your belly and bring your hands under your shoulders. If you start to feel pain in your knees at any time, do less. ) Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana). Start by standing with your feet slightly wider than your hips with your toes turned out. As you exhale, pull your knees down and in. Push into your hands and lift your chest off the mat, maintaining a bend in your elbows. Grinch standing with hands on hipster. Note that this pose is sometimes called "wind-removing pose" 🤣). Cobra pose is a heart-opening backbend that can boost energy and improve posture. Stay in this pose for 5-10 deep breaths, and repeat 2-3 times. Press down into your hands for stability and lower your knees to one side of your body.
It's no secret that practicing yoga can help improve your stress and anxiety levels. Grinch standing with hands on hips sit down. Keep your arms at your side, and press down into the soles of your feet as you lift your pelvis up. Take 10 deep breaths and then slowly roll your spine down to release, and repeat 2-3 times. It can also help alleviate excess air in the body, which is beneficial for bloating and indigestion. Look toward your toes and reach for your ankles.
Between rounds, try Happy Baby Pose. Between rounds, come to standing or hang in a gentle forward fold with bent knees. Between rounds, lower your chest to the ground. You can also do this pose with a yoga block under the flat part of your lower back. Keep your chest lifted, shoulder blades down and back, and hips toward the ground. It's a great counterbalance to the tightness we develop from sitting all day.
Lift your arms overhead, inhale, and then fold forward as you exhale. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Saravangasana). Supine twist is a restorative pose that lengthens and realigns your spine while detoxifying your organs. Start with a bend in your knees. You may also choose to do this posture one leg at a time with your opposite leg extended or foot flat on the floor. Hold for 5-10 breaths, reset, and repeat on the other side. You can also wrap a towel or a belt around the bottoms of your feet and hold each end in one hand. Malasana is yoga's deep squat. Work these six poses into your daily routine to keep your holiday spirit bright.
But did you know that certain poses can help with digestion? Keep your shoulders relaxed and look at the ground or straight ahead to protect your neck. Knees to Chest (Apanasana). Make sure your knees stay over your heels instead of splaying out to the sides. This pose can aid in digestion by helping stretch the abdominal muscles and bring the organs into better alignment. This pose allows your stomach to relax, which can prevent stress from affecting your digestive tract. It's simple and relaxing, making it a comforting pose in times of stress. The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also take a toll on your physical and mental health. Another added benefit?
Seated forward fold is a foundational pose that improves flexibility. If your stomach feels tied up in knots, this pose is for you. Note that you can also practice this pose with your bottom leg straight.