Looking for a new website? Tidy Design create bespoke websites for a variety of sectors and industries. Approved NHS suppliers, they take pride in building long lasting relationships with companies across Portsmouth and Hampshire.
Find Out MorePosted: 4th July, 2023
Yoga, an ancient practice that harmonises the mind, body, and spirit, offers a multitude of benefits for individuals seeking holistic well-being. Regular engagement in yoga provides numerous advantages, both physical and mental. On a physical level, yoga improves flexibility, strength, and posture, enhancing overall body awareness and promoting better alignment. It can also increase energy levels, boost metabolism, and aid in weight management.
Yoga promotes relaxation and stress reduction through controlled breathing techniques and mindfulness, leading to improved mental clarity, reduced anxiety, and better emotional resilience. Yoga also cultivates self-awareness, promotes self-acceptance, and fosters a sense of inner calm.
Padmasana, or Lotus Pose, is a seated yoga posture where you cross your legs and place your feet on opposite thighs. It involves sitting with an upright spine, relaxed shoulders, and hands resting on the knees or in a mudra. This pose promotes a calm and focused state of mind, enhances flexibility in the hips and knees, and helps in improving posture and promoting a sense of groundedness.
Bridge Pose, or Setu Bandhasana, is a backbend yoga posture that offers a range of benefits. To practice Bridge Pose, you start by lying on your back with knees bent and feet hip-width apart. By pressing your feet into the ground and engaging your glutes and core muscles, you lift your hips off the mat, allowing a gentle curve in your spine. Bridge Pose helps strengthen the back, opens the chest and shoulders, stretches the hip flexors, and promotes a sense of energised relaxation.
Downward Dog, or Adho Mukha Svanasana, is an iconic yoga pose that forms an inverted “V” shape with the body. To practice this pose, begin on all fours with hands shoulder-width apart and knees hip-width apart. Lift your knees off the ground, straighten your legs, and press your palms firmly into the mat. Your body forms a triangle shape with the hips lifted high. In Downward Dog, the heels may or may not touch the ground. This pose provides a full-body stretch, strengthening the arms, shoulders, and legs, while also stretching the hamstrings, calves, and spine. It helps lengthen the spine, opens the chest, improves circulation, and provides an energising and rejuvenating effect.
Pigeon Pose, or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, is a deeply stretching yoga pose that targets the hips and glutes. To practice this pose, start in a high plank position, bring your right knee forward, placing it behind your right wrist. Extend your left leg behind you, straightening it as much as possible. Square your hips towards the front and lower your upper body towards the ground, resting on your forearms or extending your arms forward. Pigeon Pose helps open the hips, stretches the hip flexors, glutes, and piriformis muscles, and can alleviate tension and tightness in the lower back. It also encourages a sense of surrender and release, allowing for emotional and physical release in the body.
Chaturanga, or Four-Limbed Staff Pose, is a challenging yoga pose that builds strength in the arms, shoulders, and core. To practice this pose, begin in a high plank position, with your hands aligned under your shoulders and legs extended straight behind you. Lower your body down while keeping your elbows close to your ribs until your upper arms are parallel to the floor. Your body should be in a straight line, hovering a few inches above the ground. Engage your core and leg muscles to maintain stability and alignment. Chaturanga Pose helps strengthen the upper body, improves wrist and arm strength, and develops core stability. It is often used as a transitional pose in vinyasa flow sequences.
Balasana, or Child’s Pose, is a gentle and restorative yoga pose often used for relaxation and grounding. To practice this pose, begin on your hands and knees, then sit your hips back toward your heels. Keep your knees together or slightly apart and lower your torso down, allowing your forehead to rest on the mat. Extend your arms forward or alongside your body, palms facing up. Balasana provides a gentle stretch to the hips, thighs, and lower back while promoting a sense of surrender and calm. It is a soothing pose that can help release tension, reduce stress, and create a sense of comfort and introspection.
Bakasana, or Crow Pose, is an arm balance pose that requires strength, balance, and focus. To practice this pose, begin in a squatting position with your feet close together. Place your hands on the mat shoulder-width apart, fingers spread wide. Lean forward, bend your elbows, and place your knees on the backs of your upper arms. Shift your weight forward, engaging your core and lifting your feet off the ground. Balance on your hands, keeping your gaze forward and your inner thighs squeezing against your upper arms. Bakasana strengthens the arms, wrists, and core while improving balance and concentration. It also helps to cultivate a sense of courage and self-confidence as you overcome the fear of falling forward.
Attention yoga teachers, yoga instructors and yoga studios based in Southsea. We want to help promote wellbeing and yoga to Southsea locals, getting more people on the mat!
Want to meet interesting people? New to Southsea? Need to get out more? Southsea Meetups has been setup to help you connect with Southsea residents.