Yoga For All: Part 2 "Basic Yoga Positions"

 Welcome to the next installment of “Yoga For All” where I talk about some popular yoga positions. Since there are so many positions, I just took 15 of my favorite ones that I wanted to share with you today, but with a twist. Remember in the previous blog post “Benefits of Yoga” where I said you could do yoga anywhere and with anyone? I took it upon myself to challenge that statement.

I gathered these photos from a few yogis I know to empathize that you can do yoga anywhere.  (If you’re a newbie yogi, stick to your mat and a flat surface)

1. Child's Pose

Benefits: 

a) Gently stretches hips and thighs 

b) Calm and relaxing position

c) Can help with neck, back, and shoulder pain

Skill Level:

Easy

2. Mountain Pose

Benefits: 

a) Improves posture

b) Calm and relaxing position

c) Strengthens thighs, knees, and ankles

Skill Level:

Easy

3. Warrior I

Benefits: 

a) Improves balance

b) Increases flexibility in hip flexors, chest, and shoulders

c) Strengthens thighs, core, and calves

Skill Level:

Easy

4. Warrior II

Benefits: 

a) Improves posture

b) Increases flexibility in hip flexors, legs, and shoulders

c) Strengthens thighs and core

Skill Level:

Easy

5. Warrior III

Benefits: 

a) Improves balance and posture

b) Tones abdomen

c) Strengthens ankles, legs, shoulders, and back

Skill Level:

Intermediate

6. Downward-Facing Dog

Benefits: 

a) Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, and arches

b) Helps relieve menstrual discomfort, headache, back pain, and fatigue

c) Strengthens arms and legs

Skill Level:

Easy

7. Upward-Facing Dog

Benefits: 

a) Improves posture

b) Stretches chest, shoulders, abdomen, and back

c) Strengthens the spine, wrists, and arms

Skill Level:

Easy

8. Lord of the Dance

Benefits: 

a) Improves balance

b) Stretches thighs, hip flexors, chest

c) Strengthens legs and ankles

Skill Level:

Intermediate

9. Tree Pose

Benefits: 

a) Improves balance

b) Stretches shoulders, hip flexors, chest

c) Strengthens thighs, ankles, calves, and spine

Skill Level:

Easy

10. Camel Pose

Benefits: 

a) Stretches chest, abdomen, thighs, and groins

b) Improves posture

c) Strengthens back

Skill Level:

Intermediate

11. Wheel Pose

Benefits: 

a) Stretches chest, abdomen, and back

b) Helps with back pain

c) Strengthens back, arms, legs, and abdomen

Skill Level:

Intermediate/Advanced

12. Crow Pose

Benefits: 

a) Tones abs and back muscles

b) Improves balance

c) Strengthens arms and wrists

Skill Level:

Intermediate/Advanced

13. Plow Pose

Benefits: 

a) Therapeutic for back pain, headache, and sinuses

b) Stretches shoulders and spine

c) Strengthens your core

Skill Level:

Intermediate

14. Shoulder Stand

Benefits: 

a) Therapeutic for sinuses and asthma  

b) Stretches shoulders and neck

c) Strengthens legs, core, and buttocks

Skill Level:

Intermediate/Advanced 

15. Head Stand

Benefits: 

a) Improves balance 

b) Therapeutic for sinuses and digestions

c) Strengthens legs, core, and back

Skill Level:

Intermediate/Advanced 

These are just a handful of yoga positions that you can do! If you're itching to see more, please visit the links below.

Additional Positions 

More Positions

Even More Positions!

Visit the links below to read the the other parts of our "Yoga For All" blog series

Yoga For All: Part 1 "10 Benefits of Yoga"

Yoga For All: Part 3 "Yoga Vocabulary"

Yoga For All: Part 4 "Yoga Routines"

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