In today’s hectic times, it’s important to keep the energy or ‘prana’ flowing efficiently through the body. ‘Prana’ is the vital life force that helps optimise both voluntary and involuntary functions in our body while increasing our overall well-being. And yoga helps one achieve this balanced state of being. On this International Yoga Day, learn some easy asanas to reduce anxiety and improve conscious body movement. By Akriti Sharma
International Yoga Day 2021
These eight invigorating yoga poses will help you connect your breath with movement and guide you back into a calming state of being when the going gets tough.
Anjaneyasana or Crescent Moon Pose
In the lunging back pose, Anjaneyasana stretches the hip muscles, thighs and quadriceps while opening up the chest, shoulders and torso. This pose will keep you fresh and energised throughout the day and improve your overall sense of balance. If you are a beginner, make sure to lunge back gradually and start by trying to hold this pose for 20-30 seconds before you start releasing it.
Virabhadrasana I or Warrior Pose 1
Warrior 1 is a strength-building and foundation yoga pose that helps develop a strong core, strengthen leg muscles and prepares one for advanced postures such as Warrior Pose 2 and Warrior Pose 3. It’s a great asana to test your body’s flexibility and stretch your lower as well as upper body. This will help you stretch and tone muscles of the chest, shoulder, abdomen and back.
Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose
Cobra pose stretches the upper body while boosting energy flow and increasing mobility. This asana opens up the chest cavity and shoulders while increasing flexibility in the arms and groin area as you move forward. This pose opens up the heart chakra.
Vrikshasana or Tree Pose
The standing tree pose is one of the easiest asanas that enhances stability in the body. This yoga pose heightens awareness while working on the core muscles. If your body needs balancing and endurance, you should try this pose.
Balasana or Child Pose
The child pose is easy to practice and helps oxygenate the entire body using rhythmic breathwork and movement. This pose gently warms up the spine and prepares you for advanced yoga postures. The restful pose helps to stretch your torso including shoulders, neck, spine and gently relieves stress, fatigue, back pain and neck pain.
Seated Garudasana or Eagle Pose
The seated eagle pose is an excellent asana to stretch your legs and hips, strengthen your core muscles and correct your posture. It is great to relieve stress in your neck area. This beginner-friendly yoga pose can be done standing as well. Make sure to hold your breath for a few seconds before releasing the pose.
Dandayamana Bharmanasana or Balancing Table Pose
The balancing table pose pairs rhythmic movement with stretching to gently improve balance in each side of the body. This beginner-friendly yoga pose helps build core muscles, improve memory and focus, relieves fatigue, lengthens the spine and promotes mindfulness.
Trikonasana or Triangle Pose
Trikonasana or the triangle pose helps open the chest cavity, throat area as well as heart chakra. It’s a great pose to enhance physical and mental equilibrium while strengthening upper and lower body muscles such as legs, knees, chest, shoulders, arms, spine, calves and hamstrings. This pose helps alleviate stress, symptoms of menopause, neck pain, sciatica and anxiety. Make sure to keep your eyes open to stay balanced throughout the asana.
Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on COVID-19 for all the latest travel guidelines.
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