3 YOGA POSES YOU PROBABLY DON’T DO ENOUGH
Think about how many yoga poses you’ve ever encountered, and then about how many you do on a regular basis. You may realize you tend to avoid certain poses but do others in every practice. Or maybe there are poses you do very briefly, even though you could benefit from holding them longer. There are so many poses to practice, but here are a few you probably aren’t doing enough. Often, the ones we shy away from are the ones we need most! Come join us for a retreat or training, and we promise you’ll get plenty of time with all of these poses, and many, many more!
Revolved Triangle (Parivrtta Trikonasana)
Revolved triangle is a pose that’s relatively basic but doesn’t usually make it into the standard flow class. Many students find it awkward to get into and difficult to hold. Without proper alignment and necessary modifications, it can feel like you’re not getting much out of it.
But revolved triangle offers a whole host of benefits, perhaps the biggest of which is aiding digestion. All twisting postures compress the stomach and intestines, which stimulates the digestive system. Revolved triangle also stretches the hamstrings and the muscles around the spine and the hips.
If you struggle with this pose, try widening your stance and placing a block under your front hand. To prepare for it, practice any twists that are more accessible, as well as pyramid and triangle.
Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani)
Inversions are another important and beneficial family of yoga poses. They put the body in positions we’d never come into otherwise, reverse the effect of gravity, and offer a totally new perspective. Many yogis also find that inversions leave them with a calming energy and greater mental clarity.
If you’re new to yoga or have any neck or shoulder issues, legs up the wall is a great introduction to inversions. It provides many of the same benefits as more advanced inversions, but without any strain. If you ask me, holding this pose for five minutes is the perfect way to end a yoga practice.
If it’s accessible to you, headstand (sirsasana) is sometimes called the king of asanas. By fully reversing the body’s normal position, it takes the benefits of inversions to a new level. It can be tempting to just focus on whether you can “do” headstand, but try working up to longer holds to maximize its benefits.
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
If there’s one pose everyone does and in nearly every practice, it’s corpse pose – lying flat on your back, letting the benefits of your practice integrate, and allowing yourself to deeply relax.
But it’s all too common to stay in corpse pose for just a couple minutes. Most practitioners could benefit from holding it much longer. Some experts suggest spending at least five minutes in corpse pose for each hour of practice. Others recommend a twenty-minute savasana every day, regardless of other practices.
It’s traditionally practiced in a totally flat, neutral position, but don’t be afraid to use props to make it more comfortable. Try placing a bolster under your knees and a folded blanket under your head. The important thing is to find a position where you’re able to experience true conscious rest.
If you’d like to check out some great posture tutorials from our founder Kosta, be sure to subscribe to our channel on Youtube!
About the Author
Jennifer Ambrose
Jen is a freelance writer, blogger, and yoga teacher who left her office job in Boston to travel the world with her husband. She previously worked in international development and academic research, and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Rwanda. Some of her biggest passions include promoting responsible and mindful travel and helping her students develop their personal yoga practice.
