Five Easy Poses: Yoga For Beginners

By Thaya Kareeson

You have heard about the health benefits that doing yoga has, but you just cannot see how you are going to get your stiff old body to work like a human contortionist. But, yoga does not necessarily mean you have to be a human contortionist. Those people have been doing yoga for years and years. You are just learning to do some yoga for beginners. Are you ready to learn some very simple poses?

Easy Yoga Pose, also known as sukasana, is very basic pose often used for meditation. To do this post, sit on your bottom cross legged. Bring one heel up towards your groin. The other foot is left on the floor. Sit up as tall as you can. Imagine a thread connecting the crown of your head to the ceiling. Elongate your spine and lower your shoulders.

Tree Pose, also known as vrksasana, improves balancing ability. Mindfully, stand straight with your hands in a prayer position. The tips of your fingers should be pointing towards the ceiling. Keeping both hips squarely underneath you and begin to lift your left leg. Your foot will be sliding up the inside of your right leg until you reach the inside of your right thigh. Balance and do in reverse. Repeat standing on the left leg. It is completely fine to hold onto a table or chair if you need extra support to balance. Once both legs have been worked on, return to the starting position.

Adho Mukha Svansana, otherwise known as Downward-Facing Dog, will stretch your entire body. Start by getting down on all fours, hands and knees aligned with your shoulders and hips. Your back is flat. Next, bring your hands back towards your feet, raising your backside up towards the ceiling and straightening out your legs. You will look like a triangle (inverted). Hang your head, take your shoulders out of your ears and relax them (beginners tend to scrunch their shoulders towards their ears). Do not invert yourself farther than you can go without pain.

The Child's Pose is another good stretch for your spine. Starting at Downward-Facing Dog Pose on all fours. Lower your bottom down to sit on your calves. Your knees should be spread apart. Position your arms with your fingertips pointing toward your feet, along your body, or stretch them out in front of you with your fingers splayed. Hold as long as you wish.

Cat/Cow Pose is another stretching pose. Get onto your hands and knees as if you were going to do the Downward-Facing Dog Pose. Your toes should be bent under and pointing towards your head. Shoulders should be relaxed. Drop your belly low towards the ground. It is not necessary to touch your belly to the ground. Keep your hands and knees aligned with your shoulders and hips. Next, arch your back towards the ceiling getting a good stretch. Come back to the beginning.

Garland Pose is started from the standing position. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart. Go into a squat, putting your elbows against the inside of your knees and your hands in prayer position. Your fingertips should point towards the ceiling. Using your elbows gently push the inside of your knees. Relax your shoulders and keep your spine straight. Stay in this pose for about five breaths.

There you have five very simple poses that you can use to relieve tension, improve balance and flexibility. They were not too difficult, were they? And you probably feel much more relaxed than when you began. Now that you know yoga for beginners is not too hard, continue your practice and consider joining a yoga class in your community. Your body will thank you. - 17274

About the Author:

In search of ways how to lose weight as well as how to lose belly fat. Yoga is popular way to increase health, relieve stress, increase coordination, balance as well as overall fitness, both mental as well as physical.