Meet me at the mat
I've never had an open mind about yoga in the past until I started learning more about it. Which I am still learning as I go.
The benefits are amazing! Helps with:
Stretching
Balance
Breathing
Heart Health
Digestion
Overall Strength
Detox
Restores and helps with sleep
Mental Health
Anxiety/Stress
There is no right or wrong way, all you need to do is listen to your body and it will guide you. The app I use is called Yoga Time and it's free on the app store. Don't worry about mastering the poses and how long you can hold them. That all comes with time. Respect your body for what your limits are. We are all different in what our bodies can do. I Myself am no contortionist but that is not the point of yoga. It is not a comparison to the person near you that can bend and twist in a way that your body just can't do. There are so many alternatives to so many different poses. If a certain pose feels uncomfortable or hurts, find another alternative. The point is to feel comfortable and relaxed. 😎
My Favorite Yoga Poses & Their Benefits...
Downward Dog –lengthens and decompresses the spine, stretches the hamstrings, strengthens your arms, flushes your brain with fresh oxygen and calms your mind.
Child Pose – most restorative and calming pose useful to relieve the neck, back and hips.
Cat cow pose - increases the flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine. The movement also stretches the muscles of the hips, back, abdomen and chest. Strengthens your spine. During this stretch, it activates the tailbone and releases tension of the neck and upper back.
Warrior 1 – is a great pose for those of you who have had a hectic day at work and just need to relax your body and mind. While in this pose you are strengthening your legs, you are opening your chest and shoulders, movements which we usually don’t do throughout our day, but they are necessary for a good posture and peaceful mind. This pose strengthens the muscles of your knees and feet, it stretches your shoulders and spine, and it improves your focus.
Warrior 2 – also strengthens your legs and arms, opens your chest and shoulders, and it contracts your abdominal organs.
Corpse – is one of the most important postures. It is meant to rejuvenate your mind and body after practice while also allowing you to shift your attention to your inner self. The benefits: lowering your blood pressure, calming you and giving your body the opportunity to absorb all of the benefits you worked out for.
Cobra Stretch- makes the spine flexible and broadens the chest. Makes the neck, shoulders, chest and head more active. Increase blood circulation. Gives power and flexibility to the body. It reduces obesity. Helpful in strengthening the digestive system and increasing the lung power.
Side Plank - Strengthens three muscle groups at once. Protects your spine and strengthens your core without stressing your back, Also improves balance.
Forward Plank - Reduces stress on our spine and gives us a straight, well aligned body while walking, standing or sitting. The plank position engages all muscles from your neck, shoulders and back up to your pelvis, thighs and legs.
Boat pose - opens the chest and engages the muscles in your core while also strengthening the hip flexors and adductor muscles. Stretches the hamstrings.
Namaste
